K Sudhakaran leaves Delhi amid row over Kannur assembly seat as Congress continues candidate talks

Kannur: Reports have emerged that senior Congress leader and former KPCC chief K. Sudhakaran is miffed over discussions within the party regarding the Kannur Assembly seat ahead of the state elections.

Sudhakaran returned to Kerala from New Delhi after expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of clarity on his request to contest from the Kannur constituency. The development comes even as senior Congress leaders continue consultations in the national capital on candidate selection and electoral strategy.

Sudhakaran leaves Delhi amid seat discussions

Sudhakaran had earlier conveyed to the party leadership his wish to contest from the Kannur Assembly constituency. However, the proposal has faced resistance within the party.

Senior leaders in the state unit have opposed the idea of sitting MPs entering the Assembly fray. The party’s central leadership has also not yet given its approval.

He left Delhi before the scheduled talks on candidate selection. At the time, several rounds of discussions were under way in the capital to persuade him to reconsider his position.

Sudhakaran is among three MPs understood to be strongly pressing the Congress leadership to allow them to contest the Assembly elections. He returned to Kerala after indicating dissatisfaction over the lack of assurance regarding the Kannur seat.

When asked whether his departure from Delhi was a form of protest, he declined to respond.

Congress leaders continue talks in Delhi

Even after Sudhakaran’s departure, senior Congress leaders remain in Delhi for discussions on candidate selection.

Those present in the capital include KPCC chief Sunny Joseph, Leader of Opposition V. D. Satheesan and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala.

There were also reports that the leadership planned to hold discussions with MPs on the issue.

Sunny Joseph had met Sudhakaran and MP Adoor Prakash. Both MPs had conveyed their willingness to contest the Assembly elections.

Facebook post highlights his bond with Kannur

Corroborating reports of his dissatisfaction, Sudhakaran on Friday morning shared an emotional message on Facebook about his long association with Kannur and the Congress movement in the district.

He described Kannur as closely linked to his life and identity, calling the bond “blood of heart”.

In the post, he said Kannur was the place where he and Congress workers fought and made sacrifices for the party.

Sudhakaran said he had stood on the frontlines protecting colleagues during violent political clashes and could not remain silent if they were targeted.

He also recalled the dreams built with the party and remembered colleagues who lost their lives in political violence.

He added that the soil of Kannur carries the blood and sweat of Congress workers.

Emphasising his lifelong commitment, Sudhakaran said he had devoted himself to the movement, often without thinking about his own family.