K Muraleedharan to lock horns with Jayarajan in Vatakara

After much deliberations, Congress in Kerala has finally decided to field K Muraleedharan, a three time MP, from Vatakara parliamentary constituency.

The state unit has approved four names and the AICC is expected to release the list shortly.

A member of the Kerala assembly, Muraleedharan, son of veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister, late K Karunakaran, was busy campaigining for Shashi Tharoor here, when he was informed about his candidature.

Former Kannur district secretary of CPI(M) and marxist strongman P Jayarajan is the LDF candidate from the constituency.

After sitting MP, Mullapally Ramachandran, who is the KPCC president, declined to contest, saying his hands were full, Congress listed out several names, but they were reportedly not agreeable to the high command.

As an appropriate candidate eluded the party, Ramachandran was asked by the high command to contest, which he politely declined once again.

Ramachandran said "He (Muraleedharan) is the best candidate for Vatakara seat. We have full confidence in him. It's going to be an easy win for the party,".

Meanwhile, Muraleedharan, who is expected to reach the constituency by tomorrow, said the fight was between the ideologies and not between persons.

"This is going to be a fight between ideologies. The party leadership has asked me to fight the polls there.We are against the violent politics of CPI(M)," he told reporters.

Muraleedharan,also a former KPCC President, has served as electricity minister and represented Kozhikode constituency in Lok Sabha thrice-- in 1989, 1991 and 1999.

This is his second term as an MLA from Vattiyoorkavu Legislative constituency.

Jayarajan is known for his strong grassroots level connection with CPI(M) workers.

He had represented Koothuparamba Legislative constituency in 2001 and 2006.

Asked about the candidacy of Muraleedharan to counter the CPI(M), Jayarajan said the Congress candidate was an 'adjustment name' due to the infighting in that party.

Congress has also announced T Siddique as its candidate from Wayanad seat.

Shanimol Usman will fight from Alappuzha and Konni MLA Adoor Prakash will fight for Congress from Attingal.

With this, the United Democratic Front (UDF) has finalised its candidates for all 20 seats in the state.

However, the party is yet to formally announce the candidates in the four seats.

It has already announced candidates in 12 seats earlier.