Thiruvananthapuram: Allegations have surfaced that the UDF candidate in the Vamanapuram Assembly constituency is effectively a nominee backed by the SDPI, the political face of the banned terror outfit Popular Front of India(PFI). The charges are directed against Sudheer Sha Palode, who is described as a close associate of Loksabha MP Shafi Parambil and allegedly aligned with what critics term “neo-jihadi” groups within the Congress.
Former Youth Congress State Vice President and DCC General Secretary N.S. Nusoor has resigned from the Congress, accusing the party of capitulating to the pressure of SDPI leadership. He claimed that the candidate change was made in anticipation of securing SDPI votes and that he could no longer remain in a party that, according to him, is surrendering to communal forces.
Candidate selection row triggers resignation
Nusoor stated that initial plans had favoured fielding former DCC President Palode Ravi as the candidate, and preparations were already underway in Vamanapuram based on that decision. However, after election activities had begun, the candidate was abruptly changed, leading to serious internal dissent. He further alleged that even his own candidature was considered but rejected due to pressure from SDPI leaders, who reportedly argued that he would not secure votes because his wife is Hindu. Calling the decision unprecedented and deeply problematic, Nusoor accused the Congress of encouraging communal politics in Kerala and predicted that the party would fail to cross 60 seats in the upcoming election. Notably, Nusoor had been known as a close confidant of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
The Congress leadership, however, has dismissed these allegations as baseless, maintaining that Sudheer Sha is a long-time party worker with a secular image.
More leaders exit Congress, join BJP
In a further setback to the Congress, several leaders have defected to the BJP. Among them are B.S. Anoop, District President of the Dalit Congress and former UDF candidate from Chirayinkeezhu assembly constituency, and R.S. Arunraj, a former Youth Congress State General Secretary and KPCC Executive member from Chadayamangalam. They were formally welcomed into the BJP at the party’s state office by State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
Anoop stated that his decision was a protest against what he described as the Congress leadership’s neglect and injustice towards grassroots workers, particularly those from Dalit communities. He accused the party of sidelining loyal workers and turning into a platform that suppresses internal criticism. Arunraj, on the other hand, said he resigned in protest against the Congress leadership’s stance of allegedly supporting CPI(M) leaders accused in cases related to the killings of Youth Congress leaders, Kripesh, Sharath Lal, and Shuhaib.
