KOZHIKODE: With the announcement of by-election in five places, group squabbles have intensified in the selection of candidates in the BJP. State party chief P S Sreedharan Pillai, who is sure to lose presidency in the organizational polls, has started running for the Vattiyoorkavu seat. Pillai, who wished to contest Pathanamthitta in the Parliamentary elections, backed away from the idea of contesting in Vattiyoorkavu. Pillai faction claims that RSS leadership had assured to give the Vattiyoorkavu seat to Pillai.

However, the RSS and a section of the party is interested in fielding Kummanam Rajashekaran, former state chief who lost the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat, in Vattiyoorkavu. Although the names of V V Rajesh and Thiruvananthapuram district chief S Suresh are suggested by V Muraleedharan and P K Krishnadas factions, if Kummanam agrees to contest, both factions will support him.

Pillai wants state general secretary K Surendran, considered for party president’s post, to contest in Manjeswaram. It is heard that the latter is not interested in contesting the by-polls. Surendran wants local leaders to contest in Manjeswaram. If that is the case, Raveesha Tantri Kundar, who contested in Kasargod parliament constituency or district president K Sreekanth may be fielded here.

Chances are more for another state general secretary Sobha Surendran in Konni as Surendran is not interested in contesting. The RSS leadership is keen in fielding former DGP T P Senkumar. The name of Tom Vadakkan is heard in Ernakulam. BDJS candidate will be fielded in Aroor. However, the results of the by-elections held at the same time of the organizational polls would be crucial for all groups in the party.