Sudhakaran's CM ambition puts Congress in a dilemma

The Congress in Kerala is grappling with fresh internal tensions ahead of he Assembly polls, this time over Kannur MP K Sudhakaran's demand to contest the polls.

The party had earlier been dealing with differences involving Shashi Tharoor, and the focus has now shifted to persuading Sudhakaran. The veteran leader is keen to contest the Assembly election in order to stake a claim for the chief minister's post if the Congress-led front secures a majority.

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The party leadership, however, is reluctant. Sources told ET that the Congress is looking to promote new leadership in the state and does not want to trigger a Lok Sabha bypoll by fielding any of its sitting MPs in the Assembly elections.

Sudhakaran had recently travelled to Delhi to discuss candidate selection with the party high command but returned to Kerala on Thursday expressing displeasure over the choices being considered. On Friday, he posted an emotional message on Facebook.

"Kannur is the lifeblood of my heart. The Congress in Kannur is my address. From stones, knives, sickles and bombs, I have stood in the front and fought to protect my brothers...," he wrote.