Thiruvananthapuram: Congress is expected to finalise its candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections shortly, opposition leader V.D. Satheesan said. Speaking after returning from Delhi, he expressed optimism about the party’s prospects. The KPCC election committee is scheduled to meet on 27 January. Satheesan added that no decision has yet been made on whether sitting MPs will contest, and the issue will be discussed during the committee meeting. He also indicated that Congress leaders who went to Twenty20 will return soon.

Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kerala, Satheesan said that the PM has every right to attend official and party events. However, he criticised Modi for using the office of the Prime Minister to make divisive remarks, describing it as dangerous. Satheesan said such behaviour undermines the ideals of India and the values of the nation.

He added that Modi’s speeches fail to highlight any developmental achievements or address the future of the country or Kerala’s priorities. Instead, they focus solely on communal politics. The opposition leader claimed that the BJP’s and its affiliates’ election agenda in Kerala is centred entirely on divisiveness, a message clearly reflected in the Prime Minister’s recent speech. Satheesan emphasised that Kerala remains a secular state, and the divisive politics being attempted in several states will not take root on its soil.

Satheesan reaffirmed that the top priority for Congress, the Muslim League, and the UDF is the protection of secularism. He asserted that the party and the UDF will go to any lengths to counter communal forces while defending secular values. He further stated that there is no policy in Congress or the UDF that compromises secularism for votes or election victories, and that their secular outlook does not require certification from Narendra Modi.