The headlights kept coming. One after another, cars slipped into 10 Rajaji Marg well past 10 pm, long after Delhi’s political corridors had begun to wind down. It was an unusual sight. The first list for the Kerala Assembly polls was already out. Yet, something clearly wasn’t over.
A late-night meeting of the Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) was about to start at the residence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge. The trigger, reports claimed, was dissatisfaction flagged by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over the ticket distribution process in Kerala.
Rahul Gandhi has reportedly pushed for a more structured approach in candidate selection. He argued for factoring in caste equations, winnability and past electoral performance. This, instead of relying only on recommendations sent by the state unit.
According to reports, the meeting began around 10:30 pm and went on till 2:30 am. Present were Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders. In the four-hour review, candidates were scrutinised in detail.
A key decision emerged. No sitting MP would be fielded in the Assembly elections.
Such late-night meetings are rare in the Congress, especially in recent years. The exercise underlined the importance the party is placing on the Kerala polls. In contrast, such marathon meetings are more commonly associated with the BJP’s functioning style.
Officials within the Kerala unit indicated the influence of organisational general secretary KC Venugopal in the first list. Around 60 per cent of candidates were said to be close to him.
Of the first list of 55 candidates, about 17 were linked to Venugopal’s camp. Nine were associated with Ramesh Chennithala, while five came from the group of V. D. Satheesan.
Several MPs also managed to secure one or two tickets for their supporters. However, Shashi Tharoor is learnt to have stayed away from the process and did not push for any candidate.
It as also emerged that all names underwent scrutiny. Survey data and feedback from district Congress committees were taken into account before finalising tickets.
The Congress is expected to contest around 95 of Kerala’s 140 seats along with its allies. Of its 22 sitting MLAs, the party has retained 19.
The social mix of candidates reflects a calibrated strategy. The party has reportedly given 22 tickets to Christian candidates, including 10 from the Syro-Malabar community. Nair candidates have received 21 tickets, while 20 have gone to Ezhava leaders.
Muslims have been allotted 12 seats. Three tickets have gone to Brahmin candidates.
The party has also attempted to lower the age profile. Of the 92 declared candidates, 52 are below 50 years.
At least five MPs, including K. Sudhakaran, Adoor Prakash and Shafi Parambil, had expressed interest in contesting the Assembly polls. Rahul Gandhi, however, opposed the move.
It’s also reported that the fielding MPs would trigger multiple Lok Sabha bypolls and create confusion over the chief ministerial face.
At the same time, a section within the party believes the option remains open. If the Congress wins a majority, MLAs could still propose an MP as chief minister.
Despite the detailed exercise, discontent has surfaced. Party spokesperson Shama Mohamed has raised concerns over the low representation of women.
Only nine of the 92 candidates are women.
In a post on social media, she tagged Rahul Gandhi and flagged what she described as the party’s apathy towards women in Kerala. It has emerged thhat she was herself seeking a ticket from Kannur, contingent on K Sudhakaran not contesting, and is now unhappy with the state leadership.
Also Read: Leadership Crisis, Factional Strains Shake Assam Congress Ahead Of Elections https://www.vibesofindia.com/leadership-crisis-factional-strains-shake-assam-congress-ahead-of-elections/
