Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: The Congress has prepared a panel of candidates for 92 constituencies to contest in the upcoming state assembly elections after assessing their chances of victory.

Only five constituencies, Kundara, Karunagappally, Haripad, Kottayam and Paravur, have a single name on the panel.

Surveys are also underway on the possibility of fielding Shashi Tharoor in Nemom, a sitting CPM seat and a constituency the BJP is aiming to secure. The electoral prospects of five MPs, including Tharoor, are being evaluated.

Actor Ramesh Pisharody and former football star IM Vijayan are among the candidates being considered. The winnability factor of all shortlisted candidates will be studied constituency-wise, and final decisions will be taken based on the survey reports.

Also read | BJP’s MT Ramesh likely to contest Thrissur in Kerala Assembly Election 2026, may shift residence

In Dharmadom, where Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is contesting, the Congress is assessing the prospects of Farzin Majeed, who came to public attention after protesting against the chief minister on a flight, and Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil. The party is also examining whether fielding Mullappally Ramachandran would help wrest Nadapuram, a sitting LDF seat. The names of KM Abhijith and DCC president K Praveen Kumar are also on the list for Nadapuram, and both have been included in the panel for Koyilandy as well.

Also read | Who will be next Kerala CM? Satheesan, Pinarayi lead in survey; BJP chief preferred over Tharoor

Two non-Congress figures, PV Anvar and CK Janu, have also been included in the survey. Anvar’s prospects are being assessed in Beypore. Former MP Remya Haridas has been included in the panels for Balussery and Adoor.

IM Vijayan is being considered for Nattika, while Ramesh Pisharody is under consideration for Tripunithura. Former MLA TN Prathapan’s name has been shifted from Nattika to the panels for Manalur, Kaipamangalam, Kodungallur and Vypin. Former Wadakkanchery MLA Anil Akkara’s name does not figure there; instead, he is included in the panels for Kunnamkulam and Manalur.

Also read | Branding of firsts, note chori jibe and welfare hikes: Kerala Budget signals assembly poll strategy

The names of former BJP leader Sandeep Varier are being considered for Shoranur, Ottappalam, Palakkad and Aranmula. K. Muraleedharan features in the panels for Thrissur, Vattiyoorkavu, Nemom and Thiruvananthapuram.

The Congress is aiming to announce its first list of candidates during the ‘Puthuyuga Yatra’ led by Opposition Leader VD Satheesan. The plan is to declare candidates for constituencies where there is no dispute, including seats held by sitting MLAs.