Thiruvananthapuram is buzzing with political anticipation as Kerala gears up for its Assembly elections. Both the Congress and BJP have signaled their intent to unveil their first lists of candidates by the end of this month, injecting fresh momentum into the high-stakes campaign.
Inside the Congress camp, organizational reshuffles are intertwining with electoral strategies. KPCC President Sunny Joseph is poised to contest from his stronghold in Peravoor, Kannur district. This move necessitates his resignation from the state presidency, paving the way for an interim appointee. Given Kerala’s delicate social and communal fabric, party insiders suggest the interim leader could be a Christian figure to maintain balance.
Names floating in discussions include seasoned leader KC Joseph and Lok Sabha MP Benny Behanan. However, with Behanan recently tapped to head the Congress manifesto committee, whispers point to KC Joseph as the consensus choice. Former interim chief MM Hassan is also in contention, but his own candidacy aspirations rule him out.
The Congress is expected to prioritize sitting MLAs in its initial list, aiming to project stability and sidestep prolonged factional negotiations ahead of the first phase. Timing is crucial here, as the model code of conduct looms, and an early release could give them a vital head start.
Meanwhile, BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar announced on Friday that their first candidate slate is also slated for release by month-end. The party is fine-tuning its approach, building on recent local body poll victories to solidify grips in key constituencies. This strategic push underscores BJP’s ambitions to expand its footprint in the southern state.
As these developments unfold, the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front remains immersed in high-level deliberations, setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle across Kerala’s 140 seats.