Kottayam: Saji Manjakadambil, district president of Kerala Congress (J) faction, has expressed his desire to contest on behalf of his party in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The veteran leader told Mathrubhumi News that he wishes to secure the party ticket so that he could contest in Kottayam. 

“Francis George has contested in the previous election. I wish my party considers a fresh candidate this time,” said Saji Manjakadambil.

“I think I am qualified to be a candidate. I am always in the centre of people addressing their issues. For several reasons, I could not contest in the previous assembly election. I have always stood with what I think is the best for the party and the whole of UDF. I think this is the right time to demand a ticket,” added the popular leader.

Kerala Congress (M) leader Thomas Chazhikadan is the current Kottayam MP. He is with LDF now. Under the current scenario, Congress is likely to grant the Kottayam LS seat to the Joseph faction. However, even while Saji is expressing interest to contest, Francis George is being projected as the likely candidate. But it is known that a section of people are unhappy with the decision. Francis’s activities were largely centred in Idukki for some time now.