Jagadeesh, Siddique in congress final list

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two film actors- Jagadeesh and Siddique-figure in the preliminary list of Congress candidates submitted to the AICC by the  party leadership in the state on Tuesday. KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran is not in the fray although the AICC is keen on fielding him from Manaloor in Thrissur. And  only Chief Minister  Oommen Chandy and Home Minister  Ramesh  Chennithala are listed  for Puthupally and Haripad seats  respectively.

All other seats have a panel of four to seven names  in the list prepared by  Mr  Oommen Chandy, Mr  Sudheeran and Mr  Ramesh Chennithala.  The AICC will consider the winning chances and acceptability of the  candidates and pick the best.  Jagadeesh may contest from Pathanapuram and Siddique from Aroor.

The three leaders had sealed the preliminary list before sending it to the AICC leadership by e-mail and also  by an emissary. KPCC treasurer Johnson Abraham said the candidates would be shortlisted by the AICC  later.

“Sitting MLAs and ministers have been included in the list.  The state election committee will be held on March 23 and later  the central election committee will meet.  The  final list will be decided afterwards,”  said Mr. Abraham.

There are reports that the list comprises  Youth and women leaders who are close to the three  Congress leaders. Already Youth Congress state president Dean Kuriakose has submitted a list to the AICC leadership. But Mr Sudheeran  said at a function of Mahila Congress here on Tuesday that their names have also been included in the list.  KPCC vice-president Laly Vincent had mooted giving priority to women in all the 14 districts approved by Mr Sudheeran.

“When Sudheeran took part in the YC national executive meeting at Chalakudy earlier, he had recommended that merit and performance should be the criteria for contesting the elections. But now youth leaders close to the senior leaders are getting selected,”  said a Congress leader.