Congress names all its sitting MLAs in probable list from Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For the May 16 Assembly polls, the Congress, heading the ruling UDF in Kerala, has included names of all its sitting MLAs in the probable list of the party for 82 constituencies.

Four constituencies, including those held by Chief Minister Ommen Chandy (Puthupally) and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala (Haripad), have a single name while all others have more than one name, KPCC President V M Sudheeran told reporters here.

Names of all sitting MLAs, including T N Prathapan, who had stated that he was not keen on contesting this time to make way for fresh faces, have been included in the list.

"This is a probables' list. All candidates in the list need not contest. It is up to to the Congress high command to decide," he said.

The talks with UDF partners on seat sharing were at the 'final stage', he said, adding there was need to arrive at a consensus with each of the partners.

Discussions with JDU, which wanted exchange of some seats and RSP, which is seeking six seats, were inconclusive.

The Congress state leadership will be leaving for Delhi on March 28 to get clearance for the candidates list.

A keen contest is expected for the 140 assembly seats in the state with the Congress-led UDF and CPI(M) headed LDF looking to win the polls.

BJP along with its alliance partners is all set to launch a do-or-die battle to open account in the state assembly this time.