Thiruvananthapuram: Even as the Congress’ Karnataka unit wrote to Rahul Gandhi inviting him to contest the Lok Sabha polls from the state, two Congress MLAs in Kerala urged the party president to contest from the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency for the coming elections.
Thrithala MLA V T Balram wrote in his Facebook post that Rahul Gandhi should contest from Wayanad and that the concept of India will be strengthened only if the next Prime Minister of the country represents South India. He further stated that Kerala was a fertile land for the idea of neo-politics which was put forward by the Congress chief.
His post was supported by K M Shaji, Azhikode MLA. He said Kerala was the best place for the commander of the political army fighting the fascists in the country. Rahul’s candidature will empower and strengthen the secular movement in South India.
The Congress in the State has been unable to finalise its candidate for Wayanad due to pressure from factions, said reports. Names of those who would be contesting from Wayanad, Vadakara, Alappuzha and Attingal have not been finalised. Candidates for 12 seats have been declared so far of the 16 of the 20 seats in the state in which the Congress will be contesting.
While decision has been reached on the candidates for Alappuzha and Attingal, but not for Wayanad and Vatakara.
Acording to media reports, the faction led by former Chief Minister and AICC secretary Oommen Chandy is reportedly eyeing the Wayanad seat for T Siddique. Whereas the Ramesh Chennithala faction is not ready to part with it and has also fielded another candidate.
However, the Congress had earlier this month had announced that Rahul Gandhi will contest from his bastion Amethi and Sonia Gandhi from Rae Bareli.