Thiruvananthapuram: As Kerala politics heats up with allegations and controversies, political fronts are gearing up for the upcoming by-elections in the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency and the Palakkad and Chelakkara Assembly constituencies.

The ongoing Assembly session is expected to conclude three days earlier than scheduled, with the by-election announcement anticipated soon. As preparations for candidate selection gain momentum, names of potential contenders are emerging.

Also Read

placeholder

No evidence found against ADGP MR Ajith Kumar, says DGP's probe report

placeholder

Dispute between Arjun’s family and lorry owner Manaf resolved

placeholder

Guruvayur temple has 869.2 kg of gold invested in deposit schemes, RTI reveals

Priyanka Gandhi in Wayanad

The Congress has indicated that Priyanka Gandhi will be fielded in the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, which her brother Rahul Gandhi vacated after the last Lok Sabha elections. Rahul had retained the constituency with a substantial majority of 3,64,422 votes. Congress is confident that Priyanka will secure the seat with an even higher margin.

Meanwhile, there is speculation within the Communist Party of India (CPI) about fielding national leaders, with Annie Raja’s name being discussed to intensify the contest. On the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) side, Sobha Surendran is likely to be the party’s candidate, with other names, such as Sandeep Varier, also being considered.

U R Pradeep to return to Chelakkara?

By-elections in Chelakkara have become necessary after CPM MLA K. Radhakrishnan became an MP after winning as a candidate from the Alathur Lok Sabha constituency. There is strong speculation that Ramya Haridas, who previously contested as an opposition candidate, may enter the fray for Congress. However, she has to overcome local opposition to emerge as a candidate.

For the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), it appears almost certain that former MLA U R Pradeep will be their candidate. Pradeep, who won the seat in 2016, completed one term in 2021 before vacating it for K. Radhakrishnan. In the BJP camp, Dr T. N. Sarasu, who contested earlier on the party ticket, is expected to be reconsidered as a candidate.

Search for a candidate in Palakkad

In Palakkad, the Congress faces the challenge of retaining the seat that became vacant after Shafi Parambil won as an MP from the Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency. Youth Congress leader Rahul Mamkootathil’s name has surfaced as a potential replacement for Shafi, but there are those who believe he may be dropped due to local considerations. KPCC office-bearers are also actively eyeing the Palakkad seat.

For the BJP, Congress remains its main opponent. General Secretary C. Krishnakumar, Palakkad Municipal Vice Chairman E. Krishnadas, District President K. M. Haridas, and Municipal Chairperson Pramila Sasidharan are among the prominent names being considered. Additionally, it is speculated that K. Surendran or Sobha Surendran may contest in Palakkad.