Four sitting MPs’ keenness to contest Assembly polls puts Congress in a spot in Kerala

## Kerala Congress Faces Candidate Conflict Ahead of Elections A brewing conflict within the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) is threatening to derail the party's election strategy. Four sitting MPs, including K. Sudhakaran and Adoor Prakash, have publicly declared their intention to contest in the upcoming Assembly elections, defying the central leadership's directive for sitting MPs to step aside. This has sparked a poster war and fueled speculation about the future of the party's campaign. While Rahul Gandhi reportedly summoned Sudhakaran to Delhi to discourage his candidacy, the issue remains unresolved as the party high command grapples with the conflicting demands from local leaders. The conflict extends beyond Sudhakaran, with several other candidates voicing their opposition to proposed candidates outside their constituencies or districts. This has led to resignations and protests, highlighting a growing disconnect between local leadership and the central decision-making process. The controversy underscores the challenges facing the Congress as it seeks to regain lost ground in Pathanamthitta district, where community representation is a key concern.