Sudhakaran firm on contesting assembly polls despite Congress’s stand

Member of Parliament and Senior Congress leader K Sudhakaran has reaffirmed his decision to contest the upcoming Assembly election from Kannur, even as the All India Congress Committee is learned to have taken a position against fielding sitting MPs.

Mr. Sudhakaran is expected to convey his stand during discussions with the central leadership in Delhi. Ahead of his visit, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is understood to have spoken to him. The leadership has broadly endorsed the state unit’s view that MPs should not be fielded, a move that could deny ticket to leaders including Mr. Sudhakaran.

The issue is likely to come up before the Central Election Committee, which is expected to finalise the candidate list after its meeting. Senior leaders had already held consultations in Delhi, including meeting with Rahul Gandhi and Mr. Kharge as part of last-minute deliberations.

Despite the party’s stance, Mr. Sudhakaran has maintained that MPs have the right to contest and that his decision reflects the sentiments of party workers. He has indicated that discussions with the leadership could still resolve the issue.

Supporters of Congress leader K Sudhakaran’s big flex near District Congress Committee office in Kannur on March 17, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
S.K. Mohan

Meanwhile, posters backing Mr. Sudhakaran have reappeared in front of the district Congress committee office in Kannur, projecting him as the leader capable of unseating the Pinarayi Vijayan government and describing him as the “heart of Kannur”, signalling strong grassroots support.

Mr. Sudhakaran is in Delhi and his response to the high command’s position is being closely watched as any open defiance could have wider political implications for the Congress, particularly in the Malabar region.

The development also assumed significance in constituencies such as Peravoor where Sunny Joseph is in the fray and the CPI(M) has fielded K.K. Shailaja, setting the stage for an intense electoral contest.