New Delhi: The Congress will not be fielding sitting MLAs and Rajya Sabha MPs as candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The crucial decision, which brings an end to speculations over the candidature of many, including former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, was taken at a meeting of Congress state chiefs and parliamentary party leaders chaired by party president Rahul Gandhi here on Saturday.
There were reports that Chandy, the MLA represting Puthuppally assembly constituency, may be fielded probably in Idukki seat.
It was also decided not to field party leaders who lost more than two polls earlier, sources said.
Sitting MPs with winning chances will be allowed to contest this time too. The party also decided not to grant seat to more than one person from a family. State election committees have been asked to submit the list of candidates before February 25. The candidates will be finalised in the first week of March. Rahul asked the party leaders to hold discussions with allies in state units over seat allocation.
From Kerala, leader of opposition Ramesh Chennithala and KPCC working president Kodikunnil Suresh attended the meet.