KANNUR: Kannur MP K Sudhakaran could not have asked for more. He took a flight to New Delhi with an ambition to contest in the assembly polls from his home turf, but had to return on Friday morning empty-handed. But soon the former Congress state president realised how important he is in UDF politics, at least in Kannur, though he was denied a ticket.
Candidates from different constituencies made a beeline to his residence at Nadal near here, seeking his blessings and ensuring his support. They showered encomiums on the leader, who fought the Communists tooth and nail. The candidates returned after they got a promise that Sudhakaran would campaign for them in their constituencies.
The first to arrive was former Kannur mayor T O Mohanan, who is the UDF candidate in the constituency where Sudhakaran himself wanted to contest. Without showing any displeasure outwardly, Sudhakaran welcomed the candidate. “The leader will be active in my campaign. We will fix a date convenient for him for the election convention,” Mohanan told reporters.
Next in the queue was T K Govindan, a former CPM district secretariat member who is the UDF-supported independent candidate in Taliparamba. Govindan is facing the threat of a Congress rebel who has said he will contest against the former CPM leader. Koyyam Janardhanan, a KPCC member, has openly declared that the Congress leadership did not consult the local-level committees before deciding to support Govindan.
Chandran Thillankari, the Congress candidate in Mattannur, and Abdul Kareem Cheleri and Jayanthi Rajan, IUML candidates in Azhikode and Koothuparamba, respectively, also visited Sudhakaran.
It is no secret that Sudhakaran wanted some of his close associates to contest elections in Kannur district. But they did not figure in the final list of candidates.
Naturally, this has infuriated the leader, who is known for his special affinity for those who stand with him. The candidates wanted to ensure that his ire does not spill over to their constituencies and upset their applecart.
Candidates vying for Sudhakaran’s blessing
Particularly worried will be KPCC president Sunny Joseph, the party’s candidate in Peravoor where he is locking horns with CPM veteran and former minister K K Shailaja. It was reported that Sunny Joseph also took a stand that sitting MPs should not contest assembly polls, pouring cold water on Sudhakaran’s dreams. Some posters had appeared in Peravoor warning Sunny about the consequences.
Old-timers recall a similar situation in 1996 when veteran Congress leader N Ramakrishnan revolted against the party after being denied a ticket. Ramakrishnan, who was the DCC president for over 18 years, was sidelined to pave the way for Sudhakaran. An agitated Ramakrishnan left the party to fight the election unsuccessfully as a CPM-backed independent.
Though Sudhakaran is facing an almost similar situation, he is not ready to raise the banner of revolt, at least for the time being. The aggrieved Congress leader has settled down to abide by the party decision, licking the wounds inflicted by the party bosses.