Thiruvananthapuram: The revised Congress candidates’ list for Ottapalam, Devikulam, Kalyassery, Payyannur and Kanhangad will be announced on Saturday after discussions between Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala.
As per indications, Shanimol Usman is likely to contest from Ottapalam instead of Shanta Jayaram against whom there were protests. Earlier, Usman was considered for Ambalapuzha. It was later handed over to the JD(U).
R. Rajaram who was proposed for Devikulam, is likely to be replaced by INTUC leader D. Kumar. INTUC district president P.G. Dev will contest from Kanhangad as the Congress candidate. With this, the Congress could solve the issues with INTUC which had been complaining about the trade union wing not getting representation in the list.
P. Ramakrishnan has been tipped for Kalyassery. There is also a move to swap Payyannur and Kaipamangalam by giving Payyanur to RSP and accepting Kaipmangalam. RSP Kannur district secretary Illikkal Agasthy is tipped for Payyanur.
The Congress workers in Payyanur have protested against the arrangement with posters in the area. Earlier, RSP candidate in Kaipamangalam K.M. Noordeen had withdrawn. RSP leaders alleged that the Congress was behind the withdrawal.
