THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP senior leader Kummanam Rajashekaran said that he will not be contesting the Vattiyoorkavu by-polls. He said that he has no intention of contesting. Talking to the media, he said the party has to reply to the wish of the district committee. Party activists recommended my name and they just expressed their wish, he said. Will give my opinion if the party asks, the fight is not dependent on individuals, he said.

“The party has chances in Vattiyoorkavu. The last time we lost just because of bogus voting. Muraleedharan had mentioned that the CPM had helped them. This has been happening in Kerala from time to time. It will happen this time also. The victory must be based not on the individual but on the ideology and party programme. He had the other day stated that if the party insists, will contest the polls. In the meanwhile, the district panel has approved Vattiyoorkavu constituency panel’s stand that he should contest.”

Meantime, Congress leader Padmaja Venugopal too had mentioned that she is not in the fray. She said that she had never thought of contesting and asked not to drag her into unnecessary controversies. Nobody had asked me to contest and I have not said anything. I have been working in Thrissur for the past few years. Being educated in Thiruvananthapuram, I have good relations with all my supporters there. I still believe my name came up due to that, she said.

Earlier in the day, K Muraleedharan had opined that his sister Padmaja will not be contesting the polls. He said that no one from his family should contest in the seat lying vacant. If she contests, allegations of family rule will be raised, he said.