“Kannur is the lifeblood of my heart. The Congress in Kannur has always been my identity. From stones, knives, sickles and bombs, I have stood in the front and fought to protect my brothers—just like a mother hen shelters her chicks under her wings. I can never stand by and watch Communist executioners harass them,” veteran Congress leader and former KPCC president K. Sudhakaran wrote in a cryptic message as the Congress leadership enters a crucial stage of discussions to finalise candidates for the assembly polls this year.
Though framed as an emotional expression of his political will and love for Kannur and his cadres, the Kannur MP’s message appears to be an attempt to pressure the leadership for an assembly seat. Recently, he publicly announced that he would contest the election from Kannur, triggering a major controversy as the Congress has yet to arrive at a consensus on whether MPs should contest the assembly elections.
Sudhakaran returned to Kerala from Delhi even as the party leadership is meeting in Delhi to finalise the candidates. The High Command is expected to meet him on Monday to pacify him. With the elections approaching, the aspirations of several MPs—including Sudhakaran—to enter the assembly fray are creating fresh complications for the party.
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The leadership fears that if one MP is allowed to contest, others are also likely to intensify their claims. There are indications that three MPs, apart from Sudhakaran, are pushing strongly for a return to state politics ahead of the polls in anticipation of the UDF coming to power. The state leadership, however, believes such a move could adversely affect the party’s prospects in the assembly elections. Moreover, it could trigger multiple by-elections to the Lok Sabha, which may appear unnecessary in the eyes of the public. There are also concerns that voters may be reluctant to accept leaders repeatedly alternating between assembly and Lok Sabha contests.
As the situation escalated with leaders beginning to make public statements, KPCC president Sunny Joseph intervened, stating that if leaders or party units have opinions to express, they should convey them directly to the leadership. Public statements or meetings for that purpose would not be permitted under any circumstances, he warned. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan issued a similar warning in an even stronger language.
Meanwhile, AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal once again clarified yesterday that he will not contest the assembly elections. “The claim that I will contest is mere speculation. I have clarified my position several times. Some television channels said that I would contest, and based on that another channel reported that I had asked other MPs to contest. At least ask me before giving such news,” Venugopal told the media.
There are also reports that some senior leaders in the state leadership have taken a strong stand against allowing MPs to contest the assembly elections—even hinting that they may withdraw from the electoral fray if such a decision is taken. The Congress is expected to arrive at a decision on most seats by March 16.