Kerala polls: Meeting between K. Sudhakaran, Mohanan signals unity after Congress’ Kannur candidature row

Congress candidate T.O. Mohanan on Friday met senior leader K. Sudhakaran, MP, at the latter’s residence, marking the first such interaction after the intense dispute over candidature in the Kannur Assembly constituency in Kerala.

Mr. Sudhakaran received Mr. Mohanan by draping a shawl over him and said he had “honoured the assurance” given to the party and that he would work from the front to ensure the Congress’ victory. He, however, declined detailed media interaction, citing he was fatigued.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Mohanan said the senior leader had reiterated his commitment to strengthening the party and that he would proceed in line with Mr. Sudhakaran’s guidance. He added that Mr. Sudhakaran would lead the campaign and that he and party workers would firmly stand behind him.

Mr. Mohanan said that confusion during candidate selection was “natural”, but maintained that normalcy has returned following the party’s decisions.

Expressing confidence, he said Kannur remained his core area of work and that he expected a comfortable victory. He added that the slight delay in launching the campaign would not affect his prospects and that he would soon reach out to voters.

Mr. Sudhakaran is expected to attend an election convention in Kannur on Saturday.

The meeting assumes significance as it comes after the party rejected Mr. Sudhakaran’s bid to contest, sticking to its decision that MPs should not be fielded in the Assembly polls. The party had subsequently named Mr. Mohanan, a former Corporation Mayor, as its candidate.

Mr. Sudhakaran had on Thursday ruled out contesting as an Independent, stating in New Delhi that he would not challenge the party and would remain committed to its decisions. He said his supporters across the State would work to strengthen, and not oppose, the Congress.