Rahul to launch Congress campaign in Kerala

Thiruvanthapuram, Feb 8:  Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will reach Kerala on Tuesday to virtually kickstart the ruling UDF’s campaign for the coming assembly elections. “He is expected to make some important announcements,” Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here.

On his arrival here, Gandhi will attend the valedictory meeting of state Congress president V.M. Sudheeran’s state-wide yatra that has reached the capital city. On Wednesday, he will take part in the executive meeting of the party unit besides meeting senior Congress leaders. The elections to the 140-member Kerala assembly are expected to be held in April-May. In 2011, the Congress, which heads the United Democratic Front (UDF), contested in 82 constituencies. It won 38 seats. With erstwhile allies Communist Marxist Party (CMP) and Jadhipatya Samraksha Samithi (JSS) breaking up and the Kerala Congress’ (Pillai) lone legislator joining the Left, the Congress may contest nine seats more. The Indian Union Muslim League, the second largest ally of the UDF, is likely to get 24 seats to contest. The Kerala Congress (Mani), which contested 15 seats last time and won nine, is expected to bargain for more seats. Ditto for the Revolutiory Socialist Party and the Jata Dal-U. (IANS)