Kottayam: LDF candidate for Puthuppally byelection, Jaick C Thomas, filed his nomination papers on Wednesday. He submitted the papers to Kottayam Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO). LDF convener EP Jayarajan, CPM state secretary MV Govindan, minister VN Vasavan, MLA Kadannappalli Ramachandran, K Anil Kumar, and others escorted the DYFI central committee member to the office.

Addressing media persons after filing his nomination, Jaick challenged Congress once again for an open debate on development of Puthuppally constituency. The Congress can decide on place and time, he said. The LDF candidate further alleged that Congress was joining hands with the Sangh Parivar, which perpetrated communal violence in Manipur. He was referring to the alleged Congress-BJP alliance in Kidangoor grama panchayat in Kottayam district.

The LDF is geared up for its election convention on Wednesday at 4 pm in Manarcad. MV Govindan will inaugurate the event.

UDF's Chandy Oommen and NDA's Lijinlal are set to submit their nomination papers on Thursday. Both contenders will submit papers to the Pampady Block Development Officer (BDO) at 11:30 am.