THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ending days of uncertainty, Congress on Thursday released its second list of 37 candidates in Kerala, completing the selection process for all 95 seats the party will contest in the state. In line with the directive from the party high command, no sitting MP has been fielded in the assembly polls.The names featured in the second list included Mohammad Shiyas in Kochi, Sandeep Varrier in Trikaripur, Abin Varkey in Aranmula, K S Sabarinadhan in Nemom, and T O Mohanan in Kannur.
The selection process, however, was not without internal differences. Amid indications that the party may field his critic and former mayor Mohanan from Kannur, former KPCC president K Sudhakaran had made his displeasure known, even indicating that he may consider entering the fray as an Independent candidate.On Thursday, however, Sudhakaran ruled out contesting as an Independent from Kannur, asserting he would remain loyal to the party. Sources indicated Sudhakaran softened his stand after senior Congress’ leader A K Antony stepped in to defuse the crisis and party president Mallikarjun Kharge personally intervened, reaching out to the former state chief and urging restraint.In Kochi, Deepti Mary Varghese was among the frontrunners, but the leadership backed the nominee supported by leader of the opposition, V D Satheesan.
