Ind. files nomination for 1st phase polls

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 29: While major political parties continued their seat sharing exercises, the first nomination paper was filed by an independent today for the first phase of polls in Kerala on April 22.

Mr P S Gopakumar, an independent, submitted two sets of nomination papers for the Thiruvananthapuram (West) constitutency on the second day of filing nominations, EC sources said.

In the first phase, 59 constituencies in Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram would go to the polls.

Elections in the state are to be held in three phases.

Nnotification for the second phase would be issued on March 31 and the third phase on April 5.

Counting of votes would take place on May 11.

The CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front and the Congress-led United Democratic Front were the main contenders.

The BJP is also in the fray, hoping to open its account in the state.

UNI