BJP, Congress announce candidates for constituencies in Kanniyakumari district

M.R. Gandhi

S. Vijayadharani

S. Rajesh Kumar

BJP and Congress have announced their candidates for the assembly constituencies in Kanniyakumari district on Friday.

In the NDA alliance, BJP is contesting in four constituencies in the district — Nagercoil, Colachel, Padmanabhapuram and Vilavancode. Congress, in the DMK led Secular Progressive Alliance, is contesting from Colachel, Killiyoor and Vilavancode Assembly constituencies.

In Nagercoil, BJP has renominated incumbent MLA M.R. Gandhi. Having won his first MLA seat at the age of 76 years, Mr. Gandhi is contesting from the constituency for the second time.

The party has fielded S. Vijayadharani in Vilavancode constituency. It is to be noted that Ms. Vijayadharani has been elected from the constituency thrice such as in 2011, 2016 and 2021 assembly elections, before she joined BJP in February 2024.

T. Shivakumar and P. Ramesh are contesting on behalf of BJP in Colachel and Padmanabhapuram constituencies respectively.

The Congress party has renominated incumbent MLAs S. Rajesh Kumar and Tharahai Cuthbert to contest from Killiyoor and Colachel assembly constituencies.

Mr. Rajesh Kumar has been elected as Killiyoor MLA in both 2016 and 2021 assembly elections. Meanwhile Ms. Cuthbert, who currently serves as Vilavancode MLA after winning by-election in 2024 is set to contest from Colachel assembly constituency.

T.T. Praveen, a new face from the party to be contest from Vilavancode assembly constituency against Ms. Vijayadharani.