Tushar to contest from Thrissur

Kochi:  BDJS has now set speculations at rest and declared that it is fielding its state president,  Thushar Vallappally as its Lok Sabha candidate from Thrissur constituency.  Thushar will thus be one of the five candidates for whom seats have been set apart in the National Democratic Alliance NDA.

Thushar told reporters, " I am contesting the polls with the blessings of my father. For this there is no need to resign from SNDP and I will continue as vice-president of SNDP Yogam.  There may be a change in the candidatur, e if Rahul Gandhi decides to contest from Wayanad."

Another candidate declared by BDJS is Paily Vathiattu, BDJS state vice-president who will contest from Wayanad.

However, SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan, Tushar’s father,  said that he was not aware of what Tushar had told reporters.

“The director board meeting of SNDP Yogam has not discussed  Tushar’s plan to contest the elections.  He has not yet filed his nomination papers, but I hope Tushar will show the required decorum,” he said.  

He had said earlier that Tushar will have to give up the Yogam post if he becomes a candidate.  The Congress president’s move to contest from Wayanad  was delaying the announcement of Tushar’s candidature.  The BDJS has expressed its willingness to swap the  seat with BJP if Rahul chooses to fight from the constituency.