Thrissur: Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan is the main probable candidate for Thiruvananthapuram, according to a BJP list for the Lok Sabha election submitted to the central leadership.
Kerala BJP chief Sreedharan Pillai is also being considered for Thiruvananthapuram.
Barely a year into his ascent as governor on May 29, 2018, talks on Kummanam’s return to state politics are rife. Kummanam, the former Kerala party chief, is ready to contest from this constituency if BJP's central leadership agrees, as he had revealed in an interview with Manorama New on Tuesday.
Actor and Rajya Sabha MP Suresh Gopi is being considered for Kollam or Thiruvananthapuram. K Surendran has his chances in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur or Kasaragod.
The list also has Mahesh Mohanaru, Alphons Kannanthanam or Sasikumar Varma for Pathanamthitta, while Shobha Surendran is tipped for Palakkad or Attingal. PK Krishnadas is also in the run for Attingal seat.
On party's NDA ally Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), Sreedharan Pillai said discussions with BDJS were complete and a final decision would be taken by the party top brass. The list will see some changes if BDJS chief Thushar Vellappally decides to contest.
Thrissur, demanded by BDJS, could see AN Radhakrishnan contest, unless Thushar Vellappally himself stakes claim.
Pillai said Congress is trying to dishearten BJP cadre by spreading rumours about rift. He also alleged the former home minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan was instrumental in getting lighter charges for CPM leaders P Jayarajan and TV Rajesh in the Shukoor murder case.
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