Kalpetta: The BJP may take the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat from its NDA ally Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) if Congress president Rahul Gandhi opts to contest from there in addition to Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. Wayanad district committee of BJP has requested its state leadership to field a candidate of national stature to take on the Congress president. However, the BDJS is unlikely to relent going by the initial reaction of its state leader.
A BJP leader will be better if Rahul’s candidacy is confirmed, the district committee opines.
BJP leaders feel the BDJS may not object to this move considering the change in political dynamics in the constituency if Rahul chooses the seat.
But BDJS leader Thushar Vellappally stated on Sunday that his party is unwilling to cede the seat. Vellapally was responding to the demand of BJP's Wayanad leadership.
No NDA leader has asked to vacate the (Wayanad) seat if Rahul contests, Thushar said. “Hope, they don't make such a demand,” he added.
Earlier, it was decided to field Kerala Congress state organising secretary Anto Augustine from the Wayanad constituency as an NDA-backed Independent.
The BJP will contest in 14 of the 20 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The BDJS will contest in five seats and the P C Thomas-led Kerala Congress will contest the Kottayam seat as per the formal initial list.
The BDJS will field candidates from Wayanad, Alathur, Idukki, Thrissur and Mavelikkara constituencies.
Rahul's nod awaited
A final decision on Rahul Gandhi’s much-anticipated candidacy from Wayanad may not be taken Sunday. It is expected tomorrow after Congress' election panel meeting, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said in a presser.
He requested the high command not to delay an announcement further. AICC general secretary and former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy said there was no confusion regarding the candidature and the final decision was up to Rahul.
KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran’s presser slated for 11 am was cancelled Sunday. The central leadership had postponed the decision Saturday too.
Rahul will study such requests from south Indian states and decide appropriately, said party's national spokesperson Randeep Surjewala. Meanwhile, district-level meetings were held in Wayanad and preparations for the poll evaluated.
The high command had ordered KPCC not to declare anyone for Wayanad. Hence no names came up during seat declaration.
Chacko flays state leaders
However, senior Congress leader PC Chacko slammed his party's Kerala leadership for playing group politics. "Leaders in Kerala are still rooted to their groups. Talks on candidature were not carried out in a matured manner."
He further said that Rahul has not agreed to contest from Wayanad. "Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala - all have equal chances," he added.
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