Thiruvananthapuram: In a stern message to aspirants ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal warned that candidates who lose the election will not be considered for party posts in the future. He also made it clear that lobbying for tickets or declaring oneself a candidate would invite strict action. Addressing a meeting of KPCC office-bearers in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, Venugopal said the party high command would prioritise “deserving” candidates and would not tolerate pressure tactics. “In the past, several deserving leaders were sidelined, and tickets were given to those who lobbied. That will not happen this time,” he said.AICC decided to scrutinise candidates carefully, he said, adding that anyone who publicly declares their candidature would automatically forfeit the chance to contest.Venugopal’s tough stance comes amid intense lobbying within the party, which escalated following the improved performance of UDF in the recent local body elections. The show of strength triggered heightened competition among leaders seeking assembly tickets.The state leadership is also facing pressure over reports that leaders from other political parties who recently joined the Congress may be considered for candidature in select constituencies. Among those being discussed are A Suresh, who was the personal assistant to ex-chief minister V S Achuthanandan, and Premkumar, former vice-chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy.According to party sources, the two are being considered for Palakkad and Kazhakkoottam constituencies, where the Congress finished 3rd in the last assembly elections. However, Kazhakkoottam in particular witnessed intense internal lobbying, placing the leadership in a delicate position.Earlier in the day, veteran Congress leader A K Antony, speaking at a function organised by the party mouthpiece Veekshanam, urged party workers to focus on defeating the Pinarayi Vijayan govt rather than engaging in speculation over the chief ministerial face if the Congress returns to power.With factional manoeuvring surfacing ahead of candidate selection, the Congress high command appears determined to project discipline and unity as it prepares for a high-stakes electoral battle in Kerala.
