T N Prathapan calls it quits

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kodungallur MLA T. N. Prathapan has decided not to contest the Assembly elections for the fourth time. In a game plan supposed to be conceived by KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran, his trusted lieutenant Prathapan has annouced in his Facebook post that he has decided to call it quits from contesting again as he wants to give chances to youths and women candidates. This is being considered as a fitting reply to Irikkur MLA K. C. Joseph and other senior leaders who have been contesting for more than three times.

Prathapan submitted a letter to the KPCC expressing his willingness not to contest the Assembly elections which Sudheeran read out at the meeting of the election committee. Prathapan said in the letter that he took the decision to give more representation to youths and women.

“I appreciate the fact that the Congress party had given me three chances as a legislator. I want the youngsters and women leaders who have got winning chances to get adequate representation in the elections”, said Prathapan in his Facebook post.

He is considered as a close lieutenant of Sudheeran which calls for prominence in the wake of more than a dozen senior Congress leaders who are in the fray for more than three times. After the election committee meeting, Sudheeran welcomed the decision of Prathapan. “I received Prathapan’s letter and his decsion is highly respectful. His decision should be taken as a role model by veteran CPM leader V. S. Achuthanandan”, said Sudheeran.