Kerala assembly polls: Congress faces a rebel threat of its own

Kozhikode: Congress's decision to back CPM rebel candidates — T K Govindan in Taliparamba and V Kunhikrishnan in Payyannur — has triggered dissent within its own ranks, with sections of the party and Youth Congress openly opposing the move. KPCC member Koyyam Janardhanan announced that he would file his nomination as an independent candidate in Taliparamba on Saturday in protest. He argued that the constituency, where UDF has made steady gains in recent years, was poised for a strong electoral showing. "In the last election, M V Govindan faced a tough contest, and this time there is a clear mood for change cutting across political lines. But the party has chosen to back T K Govindan, who until recently was the face of CPM in the region. This is a wrong decision," Janardhanan said. The discontent is also visible among Youth Congress leaders. YC district president Vigil Mohan is weighing the option of contesting in Taliparamba, expressing dissatisfaction over the absence of a direct political fight against CPM. Similarly, another Youth Congress leader is considering entering the fray in Payyannur, where UDF has extended support to Kunhikrishnan, the expelled CPM leader. Congress leaders fear that backing former CPM leaders could dampen enthusiasm within sections of the party machinery, with some workers reluctant to campaign for erstwhile rivals.