Kerala polls: Congress releases second list, completes candidate selection for 95 seats

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Bringing days of uncertainty to an end, Congress on Thursday released its second list of 37 candidates, in addition to the 55 announced on Monday, and stopped short of naming any in three seats, in an obvious support to CPM rebels. In line with the party high command's directive, none of the sitting MPs figure in the 92-member list.

The second list includes Mohammad Shiyas (Kochi), T O Mohanan (Kannur), Manoj Moothedan (Perumbavoor), Sandeep Varrier (Trikaripur), Abin Varkey (Aranmula) and K S Sabarinadhan (Nemom).

The selection process, however, was not without internal differences. In Kochi, Deepti Mary Varghese was among the frontrunners, but the high command ultimately backed the nominee supported by opposition leader V D Satheesan. The Kasaragod district Congress committee had opposed Varrier's candidature in Trikaripur, but the leadership went ahead with the decision after holding discussions to pacify local leaders.

Mohanan's candidature in Kannur also drew attention as he is considered a critic of former KPCC president K Sudhakaran. Despite reported objections, the leadership retained him on the list. Similarly, senior leader Adoor Prakash is learnt to have raised concerns over the candidature of Satheesh Kochuparambil in Konni, but the high command did not concede to the demand.

In a strategic adjustment within the UDF, M Liju has been fielded in Kayamkulam after the front decided to extend support to G Sudhakaran in Ambalapuzha. In Aranmula, Varkey will take on MLA Veena George.

Among other prominent candidates are Varkala Kahar (Varkala), N Sakthan (Neyyattinkara), V S Sivakumar (Aruvikkara) and T Sarathchandra Prasad (Kazhakkoottam). Neyyattinkara Sanal, considered close to K C Venugopal, will contest from Parassala.

With the announcement, Congress has finalised its electoral lineup, signalling the start of an intensified campaign phase across the state.