Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: Satheesan should keep his word if UDF fails to secure a decisive mandate, says Sudhakaran

Senior Congress leader K. Sudhakaran on Monday (April 6) reacted to Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan’s controversial “Vanavaasam” (political exile) remark, asserting that leaders must stand by their words, while expressing hope that such a situation would not arise.

“If the United Democratic Front (UDF) fails to secure 100 seats, he should go into exile, if he is a leader who keeps his word. At the same time, it would be painful if such a situation were to come. Let us pray that it does not happen,” Mr. Sudhakaran said.

Mr. Satheesan had earlier vowed to go into political exile if the Congress-led UDF failed to secure a decisive mandate in the upcoming Assembly election.

Mr. Sudhakaran said that he expected the UDF would win as many as 130 seats in the Assembly polls. “The party has not yet officially shared any internal assessment with us. However, people do not believe a third consecutive term for the LDF is possible,” he added.

Responding to reports about a complaint being sent to the party high command against him, Mr. Sudhakaran said he had no knowledge of any such development. He reiterated his statement that he would like to see Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala as Chief Minister. On Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s suggestion of having a woman Chief Minister, Mr. Sudhakaran clarified that it was the personal opinion of Mr. Gandhi.