Kozhikode: Popular Indian footballers IM Vijayan and U Sharaf Ali are likely to contest the assembly polls in Kerala. It is hinted that Sharaf Ali will contest as LDF-backed independent candidate from Eranad in Malappuram. Meanwhile, Congress is likely to field Vijayan in the election from Kongad or Tharoor, the reserved seats in Palakkad.
According to reports, though LDF leadership approached Sharaf Ali requesting to contest in the polls from Eranad earlier, he had declined the offer. Sharaf Ali who was a police officer refused to contest the polls as he was trying for IPS. Now, as he is retired from service, he has informed of willingness to contest the polls, say reports.
The LDF leadership is hoping to seize the Eranad seat from Muslim League by fielding the noted footballer. Though LDF has reserved Eranad seat for CPI, the candidates enter the fray as independent from here.
Meanwhile, it was reported that incumbent Eranad MLA PK Basheer of Muslim League will contest the polls from another seat. Muslim League is planning to field Rajya Sabha MP PV Abdul Wahab in this seat. PK Basheer is likely to contest from Manjeri.
Congress has been hoping to win Kongad, which is a reserved seat, by fielding IM Vijayan here. It is learned that Youth Congress has been trying to convince Vijayan for the same.
Youth Congress state president Shafi Parambil held talks with IM Vijayan seeking his candidacy in the polls. But it is reported that the footballer has not accepted the offer.
