The Kerala Congress (KC) has raised strong protest against the Congress over plans to take over the Idukki seat in the upcoming Assembly elections. The Congress leadership is reportedly planning to field a strong candidate against the sitting MLA and Kerala Congress (M) leader Roshy Augustine, who is also the Water Resources Minister.
Congress district chairperson Joy Vettikkuzhi on Saturday expressed the party’s intent to reclaim the seat. However, the KC faction led by P.J. Joseph on Sunday sharply criticised the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) proposal.
KC district president M.J. Jacob alleged that such plans were being promoted by certain Congress leaders with “vested interests.” “The Kerala Congress has been contesting the Idukki seat for the past 39 years. In the last Assembly election, the party contested the Idukki and Thodupuzha seats and won one. Meanwhile, the Congress contested in three seats in Idukki— Devikulam, Peerumade, and Udumbanchola — and lost all of them. Peerumade and Devikulam were once Congress bastions, but they have failed to win them for years,” said Mr. Jacob.
He further emphasised that the KC would not cede any seats to the Congress and would continue to contest its existing constituencies. “The KC has suitable candidates for Idukki. If the UDF decides to work unitedly for a win, we can secure the seat. However, if the UDF plans to defeat the KC candidate, it will only lead to a loss in the constituency,” he warned.
Mr. Jacob also noted that neither Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, nor any senior UDF leaders had discussed the matter with Mr. Joseph, the KC chairperson. “As of now, there is no need for a discussion regarding the Idukki seat,” he added.
“The political atmosphere is favourable for the UDF in Idukki, provided that parties stick to their existing seats and work to ensure a collective victory,” said Mr. Jacob.
Curated by James Chen
