Thiruvananthapuram | UDF convenor and Congress MP Adoor Prakash on Friday said that while people in Konni in Pathanamthitta district wanted him to contest the Assembly election, he respects the party's decision not to field MPs.

Speaking to reporters, Prakash said he had represented Konni as an MLA for 23 years.

He said he later contested and won the Lok Sabha election from Attingal following the party's direction.

"People of Konni repeatedly requested me to contest the Assembly election. I had expressed my willingness, subject to the national leadership allowing an exemption for MPs. However, we accept the AICC's decision that MPs should not contest," he said.

Prakash said he shares a close bond with the people of Konni, cutting across political affiliations.

He said that as a national party, such decisions are taken by the AICC, and any delay in candidate selection was not intentional.

"The delay was not purposeful. The LDF, led by the CPI(M), could decide on the candidate in Kerala itself. However, we will work together and move forward," he said.

Prakash said he had no discussions with Kannur MP K Sudhakaran, who had also expressed interest in contesting the Assembly polls but was denied a ticket.

Expressing confidence in the UDF's prospects, he said the alliance would come to power in Kerala as people are looking forward to a change.

The Congress is contesting in 92 of the 140 Assembly constituencies in the state.

It released its first list of 55 candidates on March 17 and the second list of the remaining 37 candidates on Thursday.

Kerala goes to polls on April 9.