Kerala polls: Congress releases second list, MP Sudhakaran agrees to stay away

Thiruvananthapuram: Ending days of uncertainty, the Congress on Thursday announced the second list of 37 candidates in Kerala, completing the selection process for all 95 seats where the party will contest in the state. As per the directives of the party high command, no sitting MPs are participating in the parliamentary elections.The names in the second list include Mohammad Shiyas of Kochi, Sandeep Varrier of Trikaripur, Abin Varkey of Alanmulla, KS Sabarinadhan of Inner Mongolia and TO Mohanan of Kannur.However, the selection process is not without internal differences. In a sign that the party may field critic and former mayor Mohanan from Kannur, former KPCC president K Sudhakaran expressed his dissatisfaction and even said he might consider joining the fray as an independent candidate.Sudhakaran, however, on Thursday ruled out contesting from Kannur as an independent, claiming that he would remain loyal to the party. Sources said Sudhakaran softened his stance after senior Congress leader AK Antony stepped in to defuse the crisis and became party president Malikajun Hager Intervene personally, contact the former president and urge restraint.In Kochi, Deepti Mary Varghese is one of the front-runners but the leadership is backing the nominee backed by Opposition Leader VD Satheesan.