Kochi, 13 March (H.S.):Senior Congress leader and Kannur MP K. Sudhakaran has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the Congress and his deep emotional connection with Kannur, amid reports of dissatisfaction within the party over the process of selecting candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections.

In a strongly worded Facebook post on Friday, Sudhakaran highlighted his lifelong association with the Congress and the sacrifices made by party workers in Kannur, a district historically marked by intense political rivalries and violence. His remarks came at a time when speculation has been rife that he was unhappy with the party high command’s reported decision that sitting Members of Parliament should not contest the Assembly elections.

“I will always remain in the forefront of the Congress with the tricolour flag close to my heart,” Sudhakaran wrote, underlining his emotional and political bond with Kannur.

Describing Kannur as the very essence of his life, the veteran leader said the district was inseparable from his political identity. “Kannur is the blood in my heart. The Congress in Kannur is my address. It is a land soaked in the blood and sacrifices of countless Congress workers who fought and won against adversity,” he wrote.

Sudhakaran also recalled the painful memories of violence and loss endured by party workers and their families over the decades. “This is the soil where our comrades shed blood, where families wept after losing their loved ones. On this very land, K. Sudhakaran will continue to stand tall,” he said in the post.

The MP further emphasized his long-standing connection with the district, saying there was hardly a place in Kannur unfamiliar to him. “There is no Kannur that I do not know, and there is no Kannur that does not know me,” he added.

Reports of Sudhakaran’s displeasure surfaced after the Congress leadership reportedly indicated that MPs may not be fielded in the upcoming Assembly polls. As discussions on candidate selection continue in New Delhi, the Kannur MP had returned to his home district without participating in the ongoing deliberations, fuelling speculation about internal differences.

However, his latest remarks appear to signal that despite any disagreements, his loyalty to the Congress and commitment to Kannur remain unchanged. Party sources said the leadership is continuing consultations regarding candidate selection as preparations intensify for the Assembly elections.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman