KASARAGOD: It has been 35 years since a Congress candidate last won at Kasaragod. The place has been one of the strongest Communist fortresses. But in the last election, CPM had a shock. P. Karunakaran’s majority of 64,427 in 2009 dropped to 6921 against Congress candidate Siddique in 2014.

IUML’s request for a third seat has changed the equation. Kasaragod is one of three seats they are asking alongside Malappuram and Ponnani. Congress was in a dilemma whether to give candidacy to Siddique again. But IUML’s request is going to raise the tension within the Congress.

Congress is now looking for a way to soothe IUML. Also, there are background talks to find a Congress candidate. Common ground has been reached within the party to field a Muslim candidate. There are two benefits for this-they can cool down IUML and also ensure a good percent of votes garnered by Siddique.

There are four names under consideration-AICC secretary Shanimol Usman, A.P. Abdullakutty from Kannur, DCC president Hakkim Kunnil and T. Siddique. Shani is the front runner for the candidacy as she is part of Rahul Gandhi’s brigade. Rahul himself has witnessed the proficiency of Shanimol when she was tasked with Ashok Gehlot election campaigning in Rajasthan. Abdullakutty was once a CPM activist who later shifted his political loyalty to Congress and proved his power as a leader. He is also in close contact with K.Sudhakaran-the KPCC working president. The current DCC president Hakkim Kunnil is one of the strongest Congress leaders of the region.

So after Shanimol Usman, A.P. Abdullakutty must be second in running for candidacy. High Command has directed to complete candidate selection before February 20. The candidacy will also depend on the CPM candidate.