Kannur, 10 March (H.S.):Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph has responded strongly to former KPCC chief K. Sudhakaran’s declaration that he will contest from the Kannur Assembly constituency in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, stating that no leader should unilaterally announce their candidature.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Joseph emphasised that the authority to finalise and announce Congress candidates rests with the party high command. He said that leaders should refrain from publicly declaring themselves as candidates before the official selection process is completed.

“The responsibility of deciding and announcing Congress candidates lies with the high command. Therefore, no one should attempt to become a candidate by making self-declarations,” Mr. Joseph said.

He further clarified that seat-sharing arrangements within the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the selection of Congress candidates in Kerala will be determined collectively by the state leadership of the Congress and the UDF in consultation with the party’s central leadership. According to him, discussions regarding seat allocation among alliance partners are currently underway.

Mr. Joseph also cautioned party leaders and constituent organisations against making public statements on seat-sharing or candidate selection during the ongoing negotiations. Such statements, he said, would be considered inappropriate and could amount to indiscipline within the party.

“At a time when seat-sharing talks are progressing, making public remarks about allotting seats to constituent parties is not appropriate for any Congress leader or organisational unit. The Congress views such statements as a violation of party discipline,” he said.

The KPCC chief added that if leaders or party units have opinions or concerns regarding candidate selection or seat allocation, they should convey them directly to the party leadership through internal channels rather than through public statements or meetings.

Mr. Joseph’s remarks came a day after K. Sudhakaran publicly declared that he would contest from Kannur in the upcoming Assembly elections. Addressing reporters, the veteran Congress leader said he would “100 percent contest” from Kannur.

“There is nothing wrong in that. K. Sudhakaran will be in Kannur and will contest,” he had said.

Sudhakaran’s announcement has sparked criticism within sections of the Congress as it came just ahead of a scheduled meeting of the party’s screening committee, which is responsible for evaluating potential candidates for the Assembly elections.

The controversy highlights emerging tensions within the Congress in Kerala as the party prepares for the upcoming Assembly polls and navigates delicate negotiations over candidate selection and alliance seat-sharing within the UDF.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman