Seat disputes rock Congress in Pathanamthitta; DCC General Secretary resigns

PATHANAMTHITTA: Even though Opposition Leader V D Satheesan announced during the Puthuyuga Yatra that the Congress would win back all five Assembly constituencies in the Pathanamthitta district, party leaders and workers are reportedly in confusion over candidate selection.

In Adoor, former municipal chairman and DCC general secretary Babu Divakaran resigned after learning that he would not get the party ticket despite earlier assurances. As a mark of protest, he wore black clothes and walked through Adoor town. He alleged that he was sidelined because he did not belong to any group or have a political godfather. DCC general secretary C V Santhakumar is likely to be fielded as the candidate in Adoor.

In Ranni, KPCC member Reji Thazhamon has accused party leaders of betraying him after promising him the ticket. He had filed his nomination in Ranni in the last Assembly election, but later withdrew it following the intervention of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. This time, he claims that leaders, including Anto Antony and P J Kurien, had assured him the seat. However, KPCC general secretary Pazhakulam Madhu is likely to be the candidate from Ranni.

In Aranmula, Youth Congress leader Abin Varkey is likely to be the candidate. Meanwhile, Youth Congress district president Vijay Induchoodan travelled to New Delhi and met senior leaders, including K C Venugopal, seeking the party ticket. Uncertainty continues over the candidate in Konni, while no candidate has been announced yet for Thiruvalla either.