Thiruvananthapuram: BJP's plan to wrest the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency could be scuppered if senior leader PP Mukundan who has strained ties with the state leadership throws his hat in the ring when elections are announced.
Mukundan has threatened to contest from the Thiruvananthapuram seat against the BJP.
The move to force the state leadership to take corrective measures will get Shiv Sena’s support too, he claimed.
BJP state leaders’ frequent change in their stance on the Sabarimala issue confused its cadre. The party’s stance was unclear, he said while elaborating on his opposition to the party.
"My candidature is to help the leadership to make amends. They could not make use of the Sabarimala issue. They can expel me for contesting. Promises to bring me back to a key position were not fulfilled. That is another reason for my candidacy," Mukundan stated, while adding, "I have ties beyond party and religious lines in the capital. I'll make use of these advantages in the election."
Mukundan’s stand has posed a headache for the state leadership. Some party leaders might even stay away from campaigning if Mukundan goes ahead and contests as he intends.
It is said either Mizoram Governor and former state BJP chief Kummanam Rajasekharan or actor Suresh Gopi, who is a Raya Sabha MP, could be the party's candidate from the Thiruvananthapuram seat.
Mukundan, who was expelled from the party in 2006, was brought back when Kummanam became the state president. The party is averse to bring him back to any key positions owing to the past and continuing friction.
Read more: Latest on Lok Sabha polls
