Thiruvananthapuram: As another Lok Sabha election approaches, rumours about likely candidates are swirling. Political observers and public are curious to know if film actors will be in the fray from any of the 20 constituencies in Kerala. After actor Suresh Gopi, who is a Rajya Sabha MP, indicated his candidature depends on nod from the BJP leadership, talks on the chances of big stars like Mohanlal and Mammootty are very much on.
Rumours of Mohanlal contesting for the BJP from Thiruvananthapuram have been doing the rounds for some time now and the CPM is reportedly considering proposals to field Mammootty from the Ernakulam seat.
Though already an MP, Suresh Gopi too could seek the people’s mandate. He had said the BJP leadership is yet to hold talks with him about Lok Sabha bid. It is up to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and national organising secretary BL Santosh to decide on the candidacy, the actor had said.
No decisions have been made yet, added Suresh Gopi.
Mohanlal’s meeting with Modi in Delhi a few months ago had triggered talks of his entering electoral politics. Neither Mohanlal nor the BJP confirmed such reports.
However, sources close to Lal say he might not contest in 2019.
The BJP is confident of its chances in Thiruvananthapuram, and is searching for an ideal candidate. Talks of bringing back Mizoram governor Kummanam Rajasekharan into active politics by offering him the seat too are making the rounds, though the party's concern is about the impropriety of getting him to contest days after resigning from the constitutional position.
Mammootty’s chairmanship at Kairali TV channel and his close ties with top CPM members could make his chances of getting a Lok Sabha ticket easy. The party is still mulling over a suitable man for the Ernakulam seat, which is a Congress bastion.
Meanwhile, the chances of actor Innocent, MP, contesting from Chalakkudy are poor.
It is too early to say which all stars are going to bring that extra shine to Lok Sabha polls 2019.