Kochi, Nov 4 (PTI) There need be no apprehensions over the impact of ASEAN Free Trade Agreement on Kerala as ministers from the state at the Centre would unitedly fight to ensure its interests are not affected, Defence Minister A K Antony said here today.

"Kerala will only benefit from the pact. Ministers from Kerala at the Centre will unitedly fight to see that Kerala does not lose. But, the state government should stand behind us," he said at an election meeting here in support of UDF candidate Dominic Presentation for the November 7 bypoll.

He pointed out that 489 items have figured in the negative list, which would come into effect once the agreement came into force in January 2010. The Cabinet sub-committee, headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Overseas Indian Affairs minister Vayalar Ravi and himself would look into the state's grievances, he said.