New Delhi: The Congress party’s efforts to finalise its second list of candidates for the upcoming Keralam Assembly elections have hit a significant roadblock, with internal disagreements and competing claims delaying the process. Even a month after the first screening committee meeting, discussions remain unresolved, forcing the leadership to extend deliberations into Thursday.
A series of high-level meetings held in New Delhi on Wednesday, including the core committee meeting, the Central Election Committee (CEC) session at Indira Bhavan, and late-night discussions at AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence, failed to produce a finalised list. Although only 36 seats remain to be announced, consensus continues to elude the party.
High command vs state leaders
At the centre of the impasse is the Congress high command’s firm stance that sitting Members of Parliament should not be fielded in the Assembly elections. This position has brought it into direct conflict with influential state leaders. Former KPCC President K. Sudhakaran has been insisting on contesting from Kannur assembly constituency, while Attingal MP Adoor Prakash has staked a claim to the Konni seat. Their demands have complicated the party’s broader strategy and challenged the leadership’s attempt to set a precedent against MPs contesting state polls.
Despite pressure from state leaders, Kharge has remained steadfast, signalling that the central leadership is unwilling to dilute its position. This has led to indications that both Sudhakaran and Adoor Prakash may ultimately be kept out of the fray.
Factional tensions in key constituencies
Differences among senior leaders have further intensified the crisis, particularly in Ernakulam district. The Kochi constituency has emerged as a major flashpoint, exposing a sharp divide within the party. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan is strongly backing DCC President Muhammed Shias for the seat, while AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal is advocating for Deepthi Mary Varghese. The disagreement has stalled decision-making, with neither side willing to concede ground.
Simultaneously, the status of Perumbavoor MLA Eldhose Kunnappilly remains uncertain amid the sexual assault case against him. His situation has added another layer of complexity to the selection process. Additionally, the party is weighing support for four leaders who recently left the CPI(M), as well as deliberating on the possible inclusion of former BJP leader Sandeep Warrier, though no final decision has been taken in his case.
Delay triggers worker discontent
The prolonged delay in announcing the second list has begun to generate visible discontent among party workers. The Congress had earlier released its first list of 55 candidates and indicated that the second phase would follow on Wednesday. However, even by late evening, no announcement was made.
The uncertainty has particularly affected constituencies like Kochi, where grassroots workers have openly rallied behind their preferred candidates. Supporters of both Muhammed Shias and Deepthi Mary Varghese have mobilised on the ground, reflecting the deepening divisions within the party.
KPCC President Sunny Joseph attempted to downplay the crisis, stating that disputes have been resolved in most constituencies and that discussions are now limited to four or five seats. He expressed confidence that the final list would be announced soon, noting that “the best candidates have been decided.”
Despite this assurance, the ongoing stalemate suggests that consensus within the party remains fragile. With the election timeline tightening, the Congress leadership faces mounting pressure to resolve internal differences and present a united front.
24-hour deadline missed, media questions trigger sharp response
Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan expressed visible irritation when questioned by journalists regarding the delay in announcing the Congress candidate list. Earlier, Satheesan had stated that the candidates would be announced within 24 hours of the election date being announced. However, when reporters pointed out that the deadline had passed, he reacted strongly, cautioning the media against spreading “false news” and urging them not to lose credibility.
The issue was raised with Satheesan during his ongoing discussions with the party high command in Delhi. His response reflects the mounting pressure within the party as delays continue despite repeated assurances.
Meanwhile, KPCC President Sunny Joseph sought to calm concerns, indicating that the candidate list would be extensive and is likely to be released soon, possibly by the next day. Despite the reassurances, the delay has drawn increasing scrutiny, with both the media and party workers closely watching the developments.
