Congress to nominate current MPs in Kerala, except Alappuzha, Kannur

This decision, reached during the Pradesh Election Committee Meeting held in Thrissur, signals a concerted effort to prioritise electoral viability over considerations of caste and community representation.

| Updated: 14 February, 2024 2:24 pm IST

NEW DELHI: In a strategic move aimed at streamlining candidate selection and averting potential controversies, the leadership of the state Congress in Kerala has opted to endorse sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) for the majority of Lok Sabha constituencies in the forthcoming elections scheduled for April and May. This decision, reached during the Pradesh Election Committee Meeting held in Thrissur, signals a concerted effort to prioritise electoral viability over considerations of caste and community representation.

With the Congress currently holding 19 out of the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala, party insiders emphasise the paramount importance of securing victories in the impending elections. While the candidature of Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad remains pending confirmation, party stalwarts assert that incumbent MPs will largely retain their positions, pending an official announcement slated for the initial week of March, as stated by Congress leader and Kalpetta MLA, T Siddique.

However, deliberations continue regarding potential candidates for Alappuzha, where AICC secretary KC Venugopal is speculated to emerge as a contender. Similarly, the candidacy of K Sudhakaran, a prominent figure from Kannur, is under consideration for re-election.

Despite expressions of interest from the United Democratic Front (UDF) allies, such as the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), for additional seats, particularly in Wayanad, the likelihood of such requests being accommodated appears low, particularly if Rahul Gandhi opts not to contest from his current constituency.

In reflection of past electoral successes and bolstered by sentiments of discontent towards the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Front, KPCC President K Sudhakaran exudes confidence in the Congress’s electoral prospects. The party aims to replicate its victorious performance in the 2019 polls, leveraging public sentiment in favour of Congress leadership at both state and national levels.

While the IUML, a significant ally within the UDF, has expressed aspirations for an additional parliamentary seat, the party’s bid for a third constituency remains uncertain in the current political landscape.

As anticipation builds around candidate nominations and campaign strategies, the upcoming elections in Kerala promise to be a crucial battleground, shaping the political landscape of the state and influencing national dynamics.

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