With the Congress unable to finalise its candidate for Wayanad in Kerala allegedly due to pressure from factions, two party MLAs have urged AICC chief Rahul Gandhi to contest from the Lok Sabha constituency.
Of the 16 of the 20 seats in the state in which the Congress will be contesting, candidates for 12 seats have been declared, but names of those who would be trying their luck from Wayanad, Vadakara, Alappuzha and Attingal are yet to be finalised.
According to party sources, consensus has been reached on the candidates for Alappuzha and Attingal, but not for Wayanad and Vatakara.
"Rahul Gandhi should contest from Wayanad. The concept of India will be strengthened if the next Prime Minister of the country represents South India.
Kerala is a fertile land for the idea of neo-politics put forward by Rahul," Thrithala MLA V T Balram wrote in his Facebook post.
It was supported by Azhikode MLA K M Shaji, who said Kerala is the best place for "the commander of the political army fighting the fascists in the country."
"His (Gandhi) candidature will empower and strengthen the secular movement in South India. It will be a proud moment for all Keralites.
A warm welcome to Rahul ji. I support V T Balram," Shaji wrote, supporting Balram.
The faction led by former Chief Minister and AICC secretary Oommen Chandy is reportedly eyeing the Wayanad seat for T Siddique.
However, the Ramesh Chennithala faction is not ready to part with it and has also fielded another candidate, according to party sources.
M I Shahnawas, who died recently, had represented Wayanad in the Lok Sabha.
The picturesque high range district boasts of a Wildlife Sanctuary and is a favourite destination of tourists.
The Edakkal Caves, which contains ancient petroglyphs, some dating to the Neolithic age, are also located in the district.
The Kerala MLAs' offer comes on a day the Congress' Karnataka unit wrote to Gandhi inviting him to contest the Lok Sabha polls from the state.
The Congress earlier this month had announced that Rahul Gandhi will contest from his bastion Amethi and Sonia Gandhi from Rae Bareli.
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