Kottayam: The Left Democratic Front (LDF) will field Mani C Kappan of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) as its candidate in Pala constituency.

A section of NCP had expressed discontent against the party decision to field Kappan in the constituency.

State Committee Member Sabu Abraham filed a complaint to this regard with the state leadership.

The fact that KM Mani's lead was reduced to four thousand by Mani C Kappan last time could have played a part in his choice.

The LDF is expecting to give UDF a tough fight in its stronghold Pala .

The candidate was finalised in the LDF state committee meet on Wednesday.

Kappan has been successful in diminishing Mani's influence in Pala over the years.

While Mani secured a margin of 7,759 votes in 2006 election, it was reduced to 5,259 votes in 2011 and 4,703 votes in 2016.

Although the sympathy wave following veteran leader KM Mani's demise cannot be undermined, the LDF hopes to capitalise on the infighting in the Kerala Congress factions led by Jose K Mani and P J Joseph.

Meanwhile, the Jose K Mani faction of the Kerala Congress (M) has narrowed down their choice of candidate for the Pala by-elections to Nisha Jose.

Nisha is the wife of Jose K Mani.

The Pala assembly seat had fallen vacant following the demise of Kerala Congress (M) leader KM Mani, the father of Jose K Mani.

Mani faction has asserted its claim over the Pala seat represented for over half a century by K M Mani.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's candidate will be announced only after August 30.