CPI May Ask Rahul Gandhi Not to Contest From Wayanad
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid reports that the Communist Party of India (CPI) might request Rahul Gandhi not to contest from Wayanad, the Congress leadership in Kerala has clarified that the decision to field the former president rests with the party and it is not appropriate for other parties to comment on the issue.
The CPI reportedly decided on this matter at the national leadership meeting in Delhi. The request will be officially conveyed to the Congress leadership by the Kerala unit of CPI. The CPI believes that Rahul Gandhi, as the main face of the opposition India Alliance, should contest against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to send a strong message to the electorate. Contesting against the CPI, which is an ally of the India Alliance and also a member of the coordination committee, might be perceived negatively.
The Wayanad seat is allotted to the CPI, which is the second biggest ally of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF). In the previous elections, Rahul Gandhi defeated his nearest CPI rival P. P. Suneer by over 4 lakh votes, securing 7.06 lakh votes. Rahul Gandhi shares a special bond with the people of Wayanad, and during his last visit after being reinstated as Lok Sabha MP, he thanked the people of Wayanad for their support during his difficult days.
Reacting to the CPI move, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said;''the final decision about our candidates and constituencies are taken by the party's central election committee. The committee has not taken any decision yet," he said.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President K. Sudhakaran stated that the Congress will make a decision on Rahul Gandhi. He further clarified that the CPI has the right to their opinion. "We have already requested the high command to field Rahul Gandhi again from Wayanad. His presence in Wayanad will be favourable for the United Democratic Front (UDF)," he said.
UDF Convenor M. M. Hassan said that the India Alliance has already decided not to have common candidates in Kerala and West Bengal and is trying to ensure that the opposition alliance fights against the BJP in more than 400 seats.
Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM, which leads the LDF, has distanced itself from the CPI's move. Party central committee member A. K. Balan said, "We don't have any such stand on the issue. Each party has the right to decide on the constituencies and candidates."
