Cherthala: BDJS leader Thushar Vellappally on Tuesday announced three party candidates who will contest in the Lok Sabha elections as part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Biju Krishnan (Idukki), Thazhava Sahadevan (Mavelikkara) and T V Babu (Alathur) are the three candidates announced. However, suspense over the Thrissur and Wayanad constituencies continue.

Thushar also expressed confidence that he would win from Thrissur if he decides to enter the fray from that seat. It is widely believed the BDJS chief himself would lock horns with CPI's Rajaji Mathew Thomas and TN Prathapan of the Congress in Thrissur.

Earlier in the day, Thushar had said that his party is willing to give the Wayanad seat to BJP if Congress president Rahul Gandhi decides to contest from there.

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The party would decide if I should contest from Wayanad, he added, while saying he has decided to test his electoral fortunes this time.

BJP and other constituent parties of the NDA have urged me to contest, Thushar said.

"I will contest from where the party orders. BDJS council will take a call on this. I will contest only to win," he added.

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Wayanad district committee of BJP, the leading party in the NDA, had earlier requested its state leadership to field a candidate of national stature to take on the Congress president. BJP leaders feel the BDJS may not object to this move considering the change in political dynamics if Rahul opts for the seat.

On Sunday, Tushar had stated that his party is not willing to cede the Wayanad seat to BJP.

The BJP will contest in 14 of the 20 Lok sabha seats in the state. The BDJS or Bharat Dharma Jana Sena will contest in five seats and the P C Thomas-led Kerala Congress will contest the Kottayam seat.

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The BDJS seats, as decided earlier, are Wayanad, Alathur, Idukki, Thrissur and Mavelikkara constituencies.

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