Thiruvananthapuram: Congress in Kerala yesterday announced that the party has decided to field three-time MP K Muraleedharan from Vatakara parliamentary constituency.
Muraleedharan is the son of late K Karunakaran a veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister.
The Kerala Congress unit approved four names and the AICC is expected to release the list shortly.
Former Kannur district secretary of CPI(M) and marxist strongman P Jayarajan is the LDF candidate from the constituency.
According to media reports, Mullapally Ramachandran, sitting MP and also the KPCC president declined to contest in the coming elections. He had reported said Muraleedharan was the best candidate for Vatakara seat and that the party had full confidence in him. He further stated that it was going to be an easy win for Congress.
Speaking to reporters about this turn of events, Muraleedharan stated that the fight was between the ideologies and not between persons, adding that the party was against the violent politics of ruling CPI(M).
Muraleedharan, who is pitted against CPI(M)’s Jayarajan, was also a former KPCC President and had served as electricity minister and represented Kozhikode constituency in Lok Sabha during 1989, 1991 and 1999. This is his second term as an MLA from Vattiyoorkavu Legislative constituency.
Congress has also announced T Siddique as its candidate from Wayanad seat, Shanimol Usman (Alappuzha), Konni MLA Adoor Prakash (Attingal). With this, the United Democratic Front (UDF) has finalised its candidates for all 20 seats in the state. However, the party is yet to formally announce the candidates in the four seats. It has already announced candidates in 12 seats earlier.
Meanwhile, his opponent Jayarajan is known for his strong grassroots-level connection with CPI(M) workers. He had represented Koothuparamba Legislative constituency in 2001 and 2006. Jayarajan said Muraleedharan’s name as a Congress candidate was an adjustment name due to differences in the party.