Thiruvananthapuram, 08 Feb (H.S): Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament K. Sudhakaran has strongly indicated that he is preparing to enter the fray in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, with Kannur emerging as his preferred constituency. Sources close to the veteran leader say the Congress high command has given informal assurances that his candidature from Kannur will be seriously considered.
Sudhakaran, a prominent face of the party in north Kerala, is reportedly confident that his name will feature in the final list of candidates. His recent remarks have reinforced speculation about his electoral plans. While the Congress has not yet officially released its Assembly candidate list, Sudhakaran said he expects the leadership to back his decision to contest.
“I have conveyed my willingness to contest directly to Rahul Gandhi. The instruction was to move forward with preparations,” Sudhakaran said, expressing confidence that there would be no last-minute changes to the decision. He added that groundwork and preliminary campaign activities have already begun in the constituency.
Apart from Sudhakaran, reports suggest that UDF convener and MP Adoor Prakash, along with two other sitting MPs from north Kerala, have also approached the party leadership seeking permission to contest the Assembly elections. However, the Congress state unit has maintained that sitting MPs should ideally not shift to the Assembly, creating some uncertainty around their prospects.
Sudhakaran also commented on Adoor Prakash’s potential candidature, noting that the ongoing Sabarimala-related controversies could negatively affect his electoral chances. Though Prakash had earlier been told that the high command would allow him to contest, the prevailing political climate may complicate matters, Sudhakaran observed.
Despite growing buzz around multiple MPs seeking Assembly tickets, the Congress high command has yet to take a final call. State leaders indicate that consultations are still underway and a decision will be announced only after careful assessment of electoral strategy and local dynamics.
With the Assembly elections approaching, Sudhakaran’s possible entry from Kannur is expected to energise the party cadre in the region and could significantly influence the political contest in one of Kerala’s most closely watched constituencies.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
