Kerala Polls: Congress unveils first candidate list for 55 seats; 19 MLAs retained, no MPs included

New Delhi: The Congress party has announced its first phase candidate list for 55 seats for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elecitons, featuring 19 sitting MLAs. A major highlight is the exclusion of Perumbavoor MLA Eldhose Kunnappilly from this initial phase. Despite senior leaders K Sudhakaran and Adoor Prakash expressing interest in contesting, no Members of Parliament (MPs) have been included in the first list. Notably, the party has yet to announce candidates for the Kannur and Konni seats, which these leaders had shown interest in.

In the high-stakes Vattiyoorkavu constituency—a BJP "A-class" seat—K Muraleedharan will contest, while former MP T N Prathapan has been fielded in Manalur. Youth Congress state president O J Janeesh is the candidate for Kodungallur. In Palakkad, a seat previously held by Rahul Mamkootathil—who was expelled following rape allegations—the party has fielded actor Ramesh Pisharody. Malappuram DCC president V S Joy will contest from the Tavanur constituency.
Full list will be updated.