Thiruvananthapuram: As the Kerala Assembly elections draw near, the Congress party is seeing a surge in internal manoeuvring as veteran leaders and political newcomers compete for a place on the candidate list.

While the Election Commission is anticipated to unveil the official voting schedule next week, Congress headquarters in both Thiruvananthapuram and New Delhi are already centres of intense activity. Potential candidates have increased their lobbying efforts to secure nominations for the forthcoming legislative contest.

The escalating pre-election activity has brought a familiar sense of theatre back to the party's centre stage, a development that political analysts describe as a standard and predictable fixture of the state's political landscape.

Within the party’s Kerala unit, the selection of candidates frequently unfolds as a public competition rather than a private administrative process. Aspirants ranging from seasoned politicians to fresh faces have openly declared their intent, creating a mix of amusement and tension among the party rank and file.

Those seeking tickets include Member of Parliament and former state president K. Sudhakaran, as well as Deepthi Mary Varghese, Babu Divakaran, and former legislative officers N. Sakthan and Palode Ravi.

The upcoming contest carries high stakes for the party, which currently holds 22 seats in the 140-member Assembly. Changes to the lineup are certain, following the announced retirement of senior leader K. Babu and the recent expulsion of Rahul Mamkootathil.

Congress is expected to field candidates in approximately 90 constituencies, with the remaining seats allocated to its partners in the United Democratic Front (UDF). This distribution has fueled public campaigning by hopefuls, some of whom have staked their claims before the leadership has convened selection panels formally.

Senior officials are now focused on New Delhi, where they are tasked with drafting a final list intended to minimise internal discord.

Despite the clamour, one senior leader expressed confidence in the party's process. “In Kerala, if things are quiet in the Congress, that is when we should worry,” he said. “When everyone speaks at once, it only means the party is alive. Eventually, the dust settles, and we fight the election as a united team.”

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan on Saturday cautioned against media speculation regarding the roster.

“Please allow us to decide at least who the party’s candidates are. Our list will be ready and published soon after the elections are announced," Satheesan said. "When the media prepares its own list and puts it out, how can I comment on it? Our final list will be cleared and announced by the party high command.”

For the moment, the debate within the party remains robust as the state prepares for the transition to the polls.

With inputs from IANS