Sudhakaran firm on contesting assembly polls despite Congress’s stand

Member of Parliament and Senior Congress leader K Sudhakaran reaffirmed his decision to contest the upcoming Assembly elections from Kannur even as the All India Congress Committee was learned to have taken a stand against MPs remaining in office.

Mr. Sudhakaran is expected to explain his stand during talks with the central leadership in Delhi. It is understood that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge met him before his visit. The leadership broadly endorsed the state unit’s view that lawmakers should not be fielded; This could prevent leaders, including Mr. Sudhakaran, from being given tickets.

The issue is expected to come to the agenda of the Central Election Committee, which is expected to finalize the list of candidates after its meeting. Senior leaders had already held consultations in Delhi, including meetings with Rahul Gandhi and Mr Kharge as part of last-minute talks.

Despite the party’s stand, Mr. Sudhakaran maintained that MPs had the right to object and that his decision reflected the sentiments of party workers. He noted that talks with leaders could still resolve the issue.

Supporters of Congress leader K Sudhakaran display great flexibility near the District Congress Committee office in Kannur on March 17, 2026. | Photo Credit: SK Mohan

Meanwhile, posters supporting Mr. Sudhakaran have resurfaced outside the district Congress committee office in Kannur; these posters portrayed him as a leader capable of overthrowing the Pinarayi Vijayan government and signaled strong grassroots support by describing him as the “heart of Kannur”.

Mr. Sudhakaran is in Delhi and his response to the high command position is being closely watched as any open challenge could have wider political consequences for the Congress, especially in the Malabar region.

This development has also assumed significance in constituencies like Peravoor, where Sunny Joseph is in the fray and the CPI(M) has fielded KK Shailaja, paving the way for an intense electoral contest.