NEW DELHI: AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said that he is ready to contest the assembly elections from Nemom or Vattiyoorkavu. He informed the unexpected decision as the senior leaders were not ready to comply with the high command directive. Venugopal made the dramatic announcement of contesting the polls at the AICC screening committee meeting. He said that he would contest if Oommen Chandy or Ramesh Chennithala are not ready. Venugopal said that he has a chance to win in these two constituencies.

The high command has hinted that the congress leader contesting in Nemom would be chief ministerial candidate. This was informed to Oommen Chandy and Ramesh Chennithala. If the two leaders are not ready to contest from these two places, then Venugopal would be the candidate there. The high command has hinted that K Muraleedharan and Shashi Tharoor are also considered. However, Venugopal is against Lok Sabha MPs contesting polls.

The ‘A’ and ‘I’ Groups have taken seriously the move of Venugopal. With his high intervention including in discussions over selection of candidates and announcement of contesting polls in Kerala, it is assessed that it is a move eyeing the chief ministerial post. This is worrying the group leaders.

The Left has an upper hand according to a survey conducted by the AICC. The LDF is predicted to have a slight advantage in the assembly. The high command assessed that the Left Front can be prevented only if the selection of candidates is done in a good manner.