Thiruvananthapuram: Congress president Rahul Gandhi will in all probability contest from Wayanad in Kerala besides his family citadel of Amethi.
The announcement came from AICC general secretary Oommen Chandy, confirmed by state unit chief Mullappally Ramachandran.
T. Siddique, who had started campaigning in the high-range constituency, before an official nomination, said he was withdrawing for his supreme leader.
The news electrified the Congress-led United Democratic Front in Kerala, going by reactions from the allies who feel he embodies the idea of secular India.
Kerala’s ruling CPM, the principal rival to the Congress, isn’t particularly happy. “He will be a liability for the UDF as all Congress leaders will make a beeline to Wayanad,” said its secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. Congress cadres went euphoric as television channels broke the news.
UDF allies including the Indian Union Muslim League and Kerala Congress expressed confidence of sweeping all the 20 seats. Mr Chandy said in Pathanamthitta that KPCC had requested Mr Gandhi to contest from Wayanad, but he had not responded so far.
“There is a demand that he should contest from any of the southern Indian seats. We suggested Wayanad. He has not commented on the request so far. But we are expecting a positive response,” he said.
