T’puram: Congress is facing internal dissent in several constituencies, with a section of leaders threatening to contest against official candidates, posing a serious challenge to the United Democratic Front (UDF).The most significant flashpoint has emerged in Punalur, where local Congress leaders have openly opposed the decision to allot the seat to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).IUML has fielded district president Noushad Younus as its official candidate, but the local Congress leadership has countered it by announcing DCC treasurer and UDF Punalur constituency chairman Nelson Sebastian as a rebel candidate. The decision was taken at a convention attended by KPCC leaders, signalling the depth of discontent within the party. Tensions escalated further after Congress workers organised a demonstration in Punalur town in support of Sebastian, underlining their resolve to press ahead with an independent contest. Local leaders argue that the demand for the seat is justified, citing the League’s repeated electoral defeats in the constituency and the Congress’s better prospects of victory. The unrest in Punalur has added to a broader pattern of dissent within the party. In Parassala, former MLA A T George has come out against the official Congress candidate, Neyyattinkara Sanal, while Perumbavoor MLA Eldose Kunnappally has warned of contesting as an independent if denied a seat. Meanwhile, a potential crisis involving KSU state president Aloysius Xavier appears to have been defused after intervention by the party leadership. Reports suggesting that he was preparing to resign after being denied a ticket were denied by Aloysius, who reaffirmed his commitment to the party. In a social media post, Xavier dismissed the resignation rumours as baseless and reiterated his loyalty to the Congress, stating that his work has always been for the organisation and its return to power. Party sources said KPCC president Sunny Joseph personally intervened to pacify the youth leader. Kunnappally is learnt to have demanded the DCC president post of Ernakulam if he is denied a seat. But the party state leadership reportedly overlooked it. Kunnappally is threatening to contest as an independent candidate in Perumbavoor. With multiple leaders expressing dissatisfaction over seat allocation and candidature decisions, the Congress leadership faces an uphill task in containing the rebellion and ensuring unity within the UDF as the election battle intensifies.
