The Congress on Tuesday released its first list of 55 candidates for the crucial Kerala Assembly polls 2026, with its popular leaders V D Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala contesting from Peravur and Haripad, respectively.In a state known for alternating governments, the opposition-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is fighting its toughest battle to come back to power, especially at a time when the party is plagued by internal turmoil.A meeting of the Congress’ Central Election Committee (CEC) chaired by party president Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi decided the final list. Party leaders Rahul Gandhi, K C Venugopal, Kerala Congress chief Sunny Joseph, AICC in-charge of Kerala Deepa Dasmunsi, Ambika Soni, Madhusudan Mistry, among others were also present at the meeting. Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal told media that “winnability” was the key criterion. The party retained most sitting MLAs and fielded senior leaders in key seats, while avoiding faction-ridden constituencies.Sunny Joseph challenging former health minister K K Shailaja in Peravoor; Remya Haridas (Kerala’s second Dalit woman MP) from Chirayankeezhu; K Muraleedharan (son of ex-chief minister K Karunakaran) from Vattiyoorkavu; and his sister Padmaja Venugopal (formerly BJP) from Thrissur.All sitting MLAs were re-nominated except in Palakkad and Thripunithura. Perumbavoor remains vacant pending a decision on Eldhose Kunnappilly. Palakkad goes to Ramesh Pisharody after controversy involving Rahul Mamkootathil; K Babu stepped aside in Thripunithura (no candidate yet). Others: M Vincent (Kovalam), I C Balakrishnan (Sulthan Bathery), T Siddique (Kalpetta), K M Abhijith (Nadapuram), Sajeev Joseph (Irikkur), Abdul Rasheed (Dharmadam), K P Saju (Thalassery), Shanimol Usman (Aroor), Bindhu Krishna (Kollam), Aisha Potty (Kottarakkara), and Oommen Chandy’s son from Puthuppally.Several constituencies, especially in Thiruvananthapuram district, including Nemom and Kazhakoottam, remain undecided. Notably, the party is yet to finalise candidates in several constituencies, particularly where factional disputes persist.Sources said the high command’s earlier directive that MPs should not contest assembly elections has delayed announcements in a few seats.In the 2021 assembly polls, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) made history by retaining power in the 140-member Assembly. The CPI(M) emerged as the largest party, winning 62 seats with a vote share of 25.38%, while the Congress secured 21 seats with 25.12% votes as the principal party in the United Democratic Front (UDF). The Communist Party of India (CPI) won 17 seats, and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) secured 15 seats.The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners, including the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), failed to win any seats. Independents collectively won six seats in the election.The elections to the 140-member Kerala Assembly will be held in a single phase on April 9, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.