UDF keeps alive Rahul Gandhi foray hopes

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KPCC and UDF leaders still hope that Congress president Rahul Gandhi will contest from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat. They feel that Mr Gandhi will take a final decision on his candidature from South India on Sunday.

Mr Chandy is in no mood to accept defeat when it comes to the candidature of Mr Gandhi as only two days ago, he had retracted from his earlier statement. It may be recalled that Mr Chandy who was the first to officially say that Mr Gandhi will be contesting from Wayanad had retracted his statement by saying that he had only said that the Congress president has been invited to contest from Kerala.

Mr Chandy told reporters here on Saturday that before he leaves to Andhra Pradesh on Sunday, the Congress president will announce his candidature from Wayanad.

Mr Chandy will be leaving for Andhra Pradesh on Sunday as Mr Gandhi will be attending two public rallies at Andhra Pradesh. There is another public programme of Mr Gandhi planned at Karnataka as well.

It may be recalled that Mr Gandhi had given an interview to a Hindi newspaper on Friday stating that he would soon be taking a conclusive decision on contesting from a second constituency in South India, apart from contesting from Amethi.

It was CWC leader K.C. Venugopal who was the first to react positively on Mr Gandhi’s candidature from Wayanad.

Talking to a television reporter in Mumbai, Mr Venugopal did not give a concrete reply to the question on KPCC president Mullapally Ramachandran’s allegation that “certain forces” were against Mr Gandhi contesting from Kerala.

Meanwhile, the Muslim League ledership also expressed apprehension on winning the neighbouring seats of Wayanad in case Mr Gandhi decides not to contest.

Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala also did not comment on Mullapally’s allegation.

"It is quite natural for the Muslim League to be apprehensive. Of course, the Congress workers are confused about the uncertainty on the Wayanad candidature. But we have to be patient for few more days,” said Mr Chennithala.

Kozhikode DCC president T. Siddique who was initially considered as the candidate from Wayanad also informed that the candidature on Mr Gandhi will be announced on Sunday. “We are optimistic that Mr Gandhi will contest from Wayanad. I will be his campaigner and the uncertainity on the candidature had not affected me these days,” Mr Siddique said.

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