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Congress, BJP to Release First Candidate Lists as Kerala Poll Countdown Begins

Political activity in Kerala has intensified ahead of an expected Assembly election announcement, following the scheduled visit of an Election Commission team next week. Both the Congress and BJP have indicated they will release their first candidate lists by the end of this month, with the Congress managing a leadership transition as its state president prepares to contest. The BJP is refining its strategy to build on recent local electoral gains, while the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front is also in advanced internal discussions for its candidates. The timing of candidate lists is considered critical for securing early campaign momentum before the model code of conduct is enforced.

Key Points: Kerala Polls: Congress, BJP First Candidate Lists by Month-End

  • ECI team visit signals poll announcement
  • Congress interim chief likely a Christian leader
  • BJP fine-tuning strategy after local body gains
  • CPI(M) LDF in advanced candidate discussions
2 min read

Congress, BJP set to unveil first candidate lists as ECI team's Kerala visit next week signals poll countdown

With ECI team visiting Kerala, Congress and BJP set to unveil first candidate lists this month. Key leadership changes and strategies emerge.

"The timing of the list is seen as crucial to gaining early momentum before the model code of conduct comes into force. - Party Sources"

Thiruvananthapuram Fe, b 13

With the Election Commission's team scheduled to visit Kerala next week, political activity has intensified across parties, signaling that the formal announcement of Assembly elections could follow soon after the delegation returns to New Delhi.

Both the Congress and the BJP have indicated that their first list of candidates will be released by the end of this month.

Within the Congress, organisational and electoral calculations are moving in tandem.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph is set to contest from his pocket borough of Peravoor in Kannur district.

His candidature would necessitate stepping down from the state president's post, prompting the appointment of an interim chief.

Given Kerala's finely balanced social and communal equations, party sources suggest that the interim president is likely to be a Christian leader.

Among the names doing the rounds are veteran leader K. C. Joseph and Lok Sabha member Benny Behanan.

However, with Behanan recently appointed chairman of the Congress manifesto committee, indications are that K.C. Joseph could emerge as the consensus choice.

Former interim president M.M.Hassan as he is from another minority community is also in the reckoning, but since he is also doing his best to become a candidate, he may not be considered.

The Congress is expected to prioritise sitting MLAs in its opening list, aiming to project stability and avoid prolonged factional negotiations in the first phase.

The timing of the list is seen as crucial to gaining early momentum before the model code of conduct comes into force.

On the other side, state BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday said that the party's first list of candidates can also be expected later this month.

The BJP is understood to be fine-tuning its strategy to consolidate recent local body gains and expand its footprint in select constituencies.

Meanwhile, the CPI(M)led Left Democratic Front remains engaged in high-level consultations.

As of now, there is no official word on when its candidate list will be announced, though internal discussions are believed to be at an advanced stage.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Early candidate lists are a smart move. It gives them time to campaign properly before the model code kicks in. BJP seems more prepared this time in Kerala. Let's see if they can finally make a significant dent in the LDF-UDF fortress! 🤔
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Rohit P
As a Keralite, I'm tired of this predictable musical chairs. Sunny Joseph moves from president to candidate, someone else becomes interim president... same old politics. We need fresh faces and ideas, not just reshuffling the same deck. The Left is quiet, probably calculating their safest bets too.
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Anjali F
Good to see the election process gearing up! A stable government is what Kerala needs for development. Hoping all parties focus on real issues like employment, infrastructure, and healthcare in their manifestos, not just political maneuvering. 🙏
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Karthik V
The BJP's strategy of consolidating local body gains is interesting. They've been building from the ground up in Kerala for years. This election will be a true test of whether that groundwork translates into assembly seats. The visit by the ECI team makes it all feel very real now!
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Meera T
All this focus on candidate lists, but what about their vision for the state? I want to know how they plan to tackle the financial crisis, support our Gulf returnees, and improve education. The "finely balanced social equations" mentioned in the article are often just a cover for old vote bank politics.

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