THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior Congress MLA K. Muraleedharan's reported plan to contest the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in the coming general elections has drawn flak from the 'A' camp which says that he is eyeing the chief minister's post after a stint in the Lok Sabha.
"There is nothing wrong in dreaming. But Muraleedharan should realise that his ambition will endanger his sitting Vattiyoorkavu Assembly seat which he won in 2016 with a margin of just 7,622 votes defeating the then BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan.
Muraleedharan is planning to commemorate the eighth death anniversary of his late father K. Karunakaran here on December 23 to capitalise on the Leader's memories and get people's support for his Lok Sabha plans," an 'A' group leader told DC.
"Congress leaders like KPCC president Mullapally Ramachandran, Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala and former KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran had worked in New Delhi and then moved to the home State. Mr Muraleedharan is also following in their footsteps," he said.
Sources close to Mr Muraleedharan told DC that he had already expressed his desire to Mr Chennithala about contesting from the Wayanad Assembly seat.
"Muraleedharan has reportedly told him that he is not on the war-path. Chennithala is worried about the by-election prospects. Konni MLA Adoor Prakash is likely to be shifted to Attingal Lok Sabha seat. In that case, there will be two Assembly by-elections," said sources.
Mr Muraleedharan, who was close to former chief minister Oommen Chandy, has now shifted his loyalty to Mr Chennithala with an eye on the Wayanad seat.
Mr Muraleedharan, who attended a meeting of the 'I' group held at the official residence of Mr Chennithala here on Monday evening, told DC that the meeting discussed the Youth Congress elections. Aruvikkara MLA K. S. Sabarinadhan is the 'I' group candidate for the post of the YC state president.
