Thiruvananthapuram, March 17 (NationPress) The Indian National Congress unveiled its initial roster of 55 candidates for the forthcoming Kerala Assembly elections on Tuesday. This strategic move highlights a thoughtful combination of veteran politicians, maintaining continuity, and introducing high-profile newcomers as the party aims to reclaim power in the region.

The elections in Kerala are scheduled for April 9.

Among the 55 candidates announced, 19 are current legislators, showcasing a cautious approach to leverage incumbency amid worries of potential backlash against sitting members. Currently, the Congress holds 22 seats in the outgoing Assembly, though three sitting members have been excluded from this list.

Notably, senior figure K. Babu, who previously declared his retirement from electoral contests, has not been included, while expelled member Rahul Mamkootathil remains absent due to serious criminal charges. Additionally, two-time MLA Eldhose Kunnappilly is missing from the list, with rumors indicating he has been summoned to Delhi, fueling speculation ahead of the anticipated second list.

The Congress party, leading the United Democratic Front (UDF), typically contests approximately 92 of the 140 Assembly seats. Party officials have hinted that a second list may be revealed on Wednesday.

Insiders suggest that the delay in finalizing the first list arose from internal discussions regarding the inclusion of senior Lok Sabha members. While the state leadership is inclined to keep MPs away from the contest, experienced politicians K. Sudhakaran and Adoor Prakash have reportedly shown interest in returning to state politics.

In an effort to broaden its appeal, the party has nominated popular film actor and performer Ramesh Pisharody for the Palakkad constituency.

The candidate lineup also illustrates Congress's strategy of leveraging notable defections from the CPI(M). Former three-time CPI(M) legislator Ayisha Potti, who recently joined the Congress, has been nominated from Kottarakkara to challenge Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal.

Another former Left supporter, A. Suresh, is contesting from Malampuzha, a constituency historically linked to veteran leader V.S. Achuthanandan.

The list features former MPs K. Muraleedharan and Ramya Haridas. A significant matchup is set as emerging leader Abdul Rasheed has been selected to face Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Dharmadom.

With a combination of experience, defections, and new entrants, the Congress appears to be gearing up for a pivotal electoral contest, while critical decisions remain pending before the next round of candidate announcements.