The list featured prominent leaders like Rahul Gandhi contesting from Wayanad, former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel from Rajnandgaon, Shashi Tharoor from Thiruvananthapuram. 

Among the other prominent candidates, DK Suresh will be contesting from Bangalore Rural, K Sudhakaran from Kannur. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal will contest from Alappuzha.

However, out of the 39 candidates, 15 are from the general caste and 24 are from SC/ST/minorities. 

As the first list was announced, the Congress leadership said senior leadership put much thought behind the judicious mix.