Thiruvananthapuram: Hectic parleys are on all three political fronts in Kerala to finalise their candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. While the seat-sharing talks in the UDF are about to conclude, the LDF is likely to maintain the existing equation. Meanwhile, informal talks have gained momentum in the NDA.
The CPM state secretariat and committee meetings are scheduled from January 10 to 12, while the CPI's executive committee and council meeting are slated for January 9 to 11. The possibility of the two major LDF constituents announcing their candidates after these meetings, however, is bleak. Both parties are likely to announce their list of candidates after officially concluding the seat-sharing talks.
Meanwhile, indications are that the CPM may field a few senior leaders and MLAs.
A Vijayaraghavan (Palakkad), KK Shailaja (Kannur/Vadakara), TM Thomas Issac (Pathanamthitta/Alappuzha), Elamaram Kareem (Kozhikode), M Swaraj (Palakkad/Kollam), Kadakampally Surendran (Attingal), actor Mukesh (Kollam), C Raveendranath (Chalakkudy), TV Rajesh (Kasaragod), and Joice George (Idukki) are under consideration.
Though AK Balan and K Radhakrishnan were considered for Alathur, neither of them is interested in contesting the Lok Sabha. The CPM is yet to zero in on a candidate in Ernakulam.
Who will be the CPI candidate in Thiruvananthapuram?
Meanwhile, the CPI is trying hard to find a candidate for its Thiruvananthapuram seat. Though Binoy Viswam was considered for the constituency, his candidature has to be ruled out after he became the party's state secretary. Unofficially, the CPM suggested Pannyan Raveendran's name, he is firm on his stand against involvement in parliamentary politics.
Former minister VS Sunilkumar could be the possible CPI candidate in Thrissur. However, senior leader KP Rajendran's name, too, has been recommended. A suggestion has been made to the party to field national executive committee member Annie Raja against Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad.
In Mavelikkara, AIYF state committee member and Minister P Prasad's additional private secretary CA Arun Kumar is under consideration.
Cong searching candidates for Kannur and Alappuzha
The Congress, meanwhile, is trying to find candidates for Kannur and Alappuzha constituencies. KPCC president K Sudhakaran has already announced that he will not be seeking re-election from Kannur. Instead, he has recommended KPCC general secretary K Jayanth as the candidate,
However, a section of Congress leaders believes that Sudhakaran should contest to retain Kannur. Former mayor T Mohanan, AICC spokesperson Shama Mohammed, and KPCC general secretary PM Niyas, too, are on the list of probables.
There is a strong demand within the Congress to field KC Venugopal in Alappuzha, the lone seat the LDF had won in 2019. However, the party high command will make a final decision in Venugopal's case since he is a Rajya Sabha member and the AICC general secretary in charge of organisational matters.
There is also a demand to field Youth Congress state president Rahul Mankottathil. However, a surprise name that emerged is that of actor Siddique.
Tushar Vellapally eyes Idukki
The BJP leadership has asked BDJS president Tushar Vellapally to contest from Kottayam. However, BDJS sources said he might not contest if he is not offered the Idukki seat.
The BJP, which has finalised Suresh Gopi as its candidate in Thrissur, is trying to field strong candidates in Thiruvananthapuram, Attingal, Pathanamthitta, and Palakkad constituencies.
Indications are that a central leader might contest from Thiruvananthapuram, now represented by Shashi Tharoor. The district committee has demanded Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to seek the mandate from Thiruvananthapuram.
Central Minister V Muraleedharan will be the likely candidate in Attingal, while PC George, who joined the BJP recently, might get Pathanamthitta.
