Congress weighs a comeback in Idukki Assembly seat

With the next Assembly election fast approaching, the Congress appears to be moving to reclaim the Idukki Assembly constituency seat from the Kerala Congress led by P.J. Joseph. According to sources, the District Congress Committee (DCC) has submitted a formal request to the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) in this regard.

A senior Congress leader confirmed that reclaiming the seat has been a long-standing demand within the party. “Water Resources Minister and Kerala Congress (M) leader Roshy Augustine may be the Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate for the Idukki constituency. In the last election, the Kerala Congress contested the seat for the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) and lost. In this upcoming crucial election, it is essential to field a strong Congress candidate there,” the leader says.

The leader further claims that the current political climate heavily favours the UDF here. “In the recent local body elections, the UDF got majorities in eight panchayats and the Kattappana municipality within the Idukki constituency. These results indicate that the atmosphere is ripe for a UDF victory. By fielding a strong Congress candidate, we are confident the party can win the Idukki Assembly seat,” he adds.

“Human-animal conflict, land-related issues, and anti-incumbency against LDF will help the UDF,” says the leader.

According to party sources, if the seat is reassigned to the Congress, potential candidates include Idukki DCC general secretary Bijo Mani, former DCC president Roy K. Paulose, and Youth Congress Idukki district president Francis Arakkaparampil.

Meanwhile, sources within the Left Democratic Front (LDF) maintain that Mr. Augustine’s deep-rooted connection with voters in the constituency will ensure his victory in the coming election.