Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress is planning to change KPCC general secretary Ms. Santha Jayaram who was chosen earlier as the candidate for Ottapalam constituency in Palakkad. The move comes in the wake of opposition from regional Congress leaders as she was defeated in Shornur in the 2011 Assembly elections.
Congress leadership held telephonic talks to field former AICC secretary Shanimol Usman instead. Local leaders say that they would not be able to accept Ms. Shantha, who contested from Shornur last term and lost to CPM's KS Saleekha for more than 13000 votes.
Palakkad DCC informed Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran and Home minister Ramesh Chennithala were informed that it is better to field another candidate.
“Though I am not aware of the reasons behind Ms. Santha Jayaram's exit, I am 100 percent confident of winning back the seat for UDF. The local Congress leaders expressed their willingness to field me which keeps me in good stead", said Ms. Shanimol.
