KC(M) faces dearth of Lok Sabha candidates

Kottayam: The Kerala Congress (M), which has staked its claim to two Lok Sabha seats, is faced with a dearth of suitable candidates. Besides Kottayam, which was represented by Mr Jose K. Mani, who has become a Rajya Sabha member, the party is eyeing the Idukki or Chalakkudy seat. Party chairman K.M. Mani and his son want to avoid the possibility of a candidate emerging as a power centre in the party after the elections and hence are looking for a pliable person. It will not be surprising if Nisha Jose K. Mani, wife of Mr Jose, is fielded from Kottayam. The party hopes that it stands a good chance of bagging a berth in the central ministry if the Congress and its allies form a government at the centre.

Mr Jose K. Mani, who became a Rajya Sabha member after vacating his Kottayam Lok Sabha seat, is unlikely to contest the polls.

There are many second-rung leaders who wish to contest the Kottayam seat, as the party lacks a credible candidate who can retain the seat in the face of tough opposition, said a leader.

The exit of Mr Francis George, son of Kerala Congress founder leader K.M. George, from the KC(M)  during the 2016 Assembly elections has created a leadership vacuum in the party in  Idukki.

Meanwhile, the Kerala Yathra led by Mr Jose K. Mani will begin from Kasaragod on Thursday and end in Thiruvananthapuram on February 15, which is intended to prepare the party for the coming Lok Sabha elections. This will be the first such yathra by a political party ahead of the general elections. With Mr Jose heading the yathra, the party will witness a generation shift at the helm from senior leaders like K.M. Mani, P.J. Joseph and C.F. Thomas to the youngsters.

A  new face in politics such as  the retired Supreme court judge Kurian Joseph or some other surprise names may also come before the party leadership in the last round discussions.