Kannur: The internal tussle within the Congress over the Kannur Assembly seat shows no signs of ending, with senior leader K Sudhakaran expressing strong dissatisfaction over the ongoing developments.

Despite the party earlier indicating that the candidate list would be released within 24 hours of the poll date announcement, discussions are still underway. With only around 21 days left for campaigning, the party remains undecided on its candidate in Kannur, reflecting growing uncertainty.

The delay is largely attributed to factional rivalry between camps led by VD Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala, with both sides trying to consolidate support among party MLAs. District leaders privately admit that this tug-of-war has stalled consensus.

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The crisis escalated after Sudhakaran, former KPCC president, expressed his willingness to contest the election, while the party high command decided that MPs should not be fielded. Upset with the leadership, Sudhakaran had briefly distanced himself from discussions but returned to Delhi on Tuesday for further talks.

Earlier, a compromise formula was being discussed that if Sudhakaran is denied the seat, a candidate of his choice could be fielded. However, the emergence of another name, reportedly backed by VD Satheesan and also receiving support from KC Venugopal, has further angered him.

Leaders close to Sudhakaran say he is particularly upset not just about being denied the seat, but also about the consideration of a candidate who does not have his backing.

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Meanwhile, Ramesh Chennithala has extended support to Sudhakaran’s position, insisting that the seat should go to his nominee. Chennithala met Sudhakaran in Delhi on Tuesday to discuss the issue.

Adding to the pressure, there are increasing demands for Thiyya community representation, while the name proposed by Satheesan reportedly does not belong to that group.

In the meantime, Congress has announced candidates in other constituencies in the district, except Kannur, Mattannur, and Kalliasseri. Youth Congress state general secretary VP Abdul Rasheed will contest against the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Dharmadom, while KP Saju will be the candidate in Thalassery. Sitting MLA Sajeev Joseph will contest from Irikkur, and KPCC president Sunny Joseph will run from Peravoor as decided earlier.