The Hindu : New Delhi News : Congress panel shortlists 69 candidates

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 13, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

New Delhi

New Delhi

Congress panel shortlists 69 candidates

Anita Joshua

Ramesh Chennithala remains tight-lipped on his candidature.

NEW DELHI: As many as 69 candidates have made it to the shortlist prepared by the sub-committee of the Kerala Pradesh Election Committee for the 17 seats that the party will contest in the State. The sub-committee finalised its list here on Thursday afternoon and forwarded it to the screening committee which met late in the evening in a bid to finalise candidatures by the weekend.

Briefing mediapersons after the meeting of the nine-member sub-committee at the residence of Defence Minister A. K. Antony, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Ramesh Chennithala refused to give out any details about who had made it to the shortlist.

As for representatives of frontal organisations contesting the polls, Mr. Chennithala said the decision has been left to the central leadership of the party as per directives from the capital. About his own candidature – there is speculation that he is pitching for the Pathnamthitta seat since his traditional constituency Mavelikara has become reserved in the delimitation process – Mr. Chennithala remained tight-lipped.

Ahead of the sub-committee’s second meeting on Thursday afternoon, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Oommen Chandy met Congress president Sonia Gandhi, but refused to divulge what transpired. During the day, chairman of the screening committee Janardhan Dwivedi also visited Kerala House – where most of the Congress leaders from the State have relocated themselves – for discussions with various stakeholders.

MP to join Congress

Meanwhile, expelled Communist Party of India (Marxist) Lok Sabha member from Kannur A.P. Abdullakutty met Mr. Antony and announced his decision to join the Congress and campaign for the party. The Congress, however, is yet to take a call on both his offer to join the party and campaign for it.

Asked about the status of Mr. Abdullakutty, the KPCC president said the party was yet to take a view on whether to accept him into its fold, and, if so, how to use his services.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi