NEW DELHI: There are reports that Congress chief Rahul Gandhi may withdrew from the fray in Wayanad apart from Amethi for the Lok Sabha polls.

It is heard that he withdrew following the warning that a wrong message will be delivered if he contests in Kerala where the main opponent BJP has no big influence in the polls. Various allied parties of the UPA have informed Rahul that it is not right to contest against left parties who are allies in the secular front. It is heard that NCP leader Sharad Pawar has pointed this to Rahul many times. There are hints that he is likely to contest in Karnataka, a safe constituency. An influential constituency for NCP, Congress and JDS will be considered.

Meantime, if Rahul is not contesting from Wayanad, former chief minister Oommen Chandy or Kozhikode DCC president T Siddique may contest from here. Chandy had mentioned that he has not said that Rahul will contest from Wayanad. There were demands for Rahul to contest from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Chandy too voiced the similar demand for Rahul to contest in Wayanad. Only Rahul can hint whether he will contest from here or not. However, he has so far not taken a decision yet. The high command may take a decision soon and Chandy expressed his desire for Rahul to contest from here.

Meantime, the delay in announcing the candidate in Wayanad has irked the congress and allied parties of the UDF. Some from the party asked why was Siddique changed from campaigning without a decision taken on Rahul’s candidature. Some are even criticising Siddique for starting his election campaign without the announcement of the high command and KPCC. The congress leadership is not even announcing the name of T Siddhique. The UDF think that if Rahul contests, the winning chances of other candidates of the UDF would be more. However, Rahul has not opened his mind so far.