THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Current Congress MP Rahul Gandhi may contest again as a UDF candidate in Wayanad. It is learned that a rough agreement has been reached in the Congress National Election Committee discussions in Delhi. It is indicated that Rahul Gandhi is also in favour.

In 2019, the UDF swept 19 out of 20 seats in the Rahul wave. KPCC is of the position that Rahul is essential in Wayanad to repeat the victory.

The national leadership also agrees with the KPCC stand that there is no impropriety in Rahul contesting against the LDF in Wayanad when the constituent parties of the opposition INDIA Front, the UDF and the LDF, are pitted against each other in 19 other seats.

In Kannur KPCC president and sitting MP K Sudhakaran, and in Alappuzha AICC organization general secretary and former MP KC Venugopal are unlikely to contest again. Sitting Congress MPs themselves may contest in 13 other seats. The High Command may announce the candidates for all 16 seats within two days.

Backward Representation:

LDF leading

LDF has given more consideration to backward classes.

LDF

Ezhava-7 (CPM-5, CPI-2), Christian-5 (CPM-3, CPI-1, Kerala Congress (M)-1), Muslim- 4 (CPM). Nair- 2 (CPM). SC-2 (CPM-1, CPI-1).

UDF

Community representation in 13 seats where sitting Congress MPs may re-contest: Nair-5, Christian-4, Ezhava-1, SC-2, Dheewara-1.

Without K Sudhakaran and KC

If K Sudhakaran does not contest in Kannur, Youth Congress leader PV Abdul Rasheed and T Siddique MLA may be considered for Muslim representation. If KC Venugopal is not available in Alappuzha, KPCC suggests KPCC General Secretary Adv G Subodhan, KPCC Political Affairs Committee member M Liju and Unorganized Congress National General Secretary Anil Bose.

This is to keep the Ezhava representation at least two. Youth Congress state president Rahul Mamkootathil's name is also on the rise, but that may affect the communal balance.

NDA

Candidates for 12 out of 16 seats of BJP have been announced. In this

Nair – 6, Ezhava – Thiyya – 3, OBC – 1, Christian – 1, Muslim – 1.

BJP and BDJS have to announce four candidates each in which one seat each will go to the scheduled category.