New Delhi, March 19 Determined to challenge the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the April 9 Kerala Assembly polls, the Congress on Thursday banked on its state leadership, deciding not to field any of its MPs.
The party made this decision despite internal pressures, opting to rely on its Kerala leadership rather than sending parliamentarians to fight the Assembly elections.
The pressure on the party was immense on Wednesday evening, when Kannur MP K Sudhakaran threatened to resign, even saying "good bye" to leaders after learning that his name was not considered for the Kannur Assembly seat.
However, several leaders managed to pacify Sudhakaran on Wednesday evening and convinced him to abide by the party's decision.
As a sign of his compliance, Sudhakaran on Thursday said he would not contest the Kerala polls without the party's permission.
He also clarified speculation that he would quit the Congress and form another party or join some other political front, saying, "Where will I go?" When asked if he would contest the Kerala polls as an Independent candidate, he said, "No, nothing like that. I will only contest if I have the party's permission, otherwise not."
"I will accept the party's decision," Sudhakaran told reporters as he left his accommodation in New Delhi for the airport to return to Kerala.
He also emphasized that the party is bigger than him, saying, "I will obediently follow the party's directions. That is my decision. I will move forward accordingly."
Sources said Sudhakaran was scheduled to address the media at the Kerala House in Delhi on Thursday and announce some decisions, but was pacified after the intervention of top leaders, including former defence minister and party veteran A K Antony.
Sudhakaran eventually did not address the media, and sources said he has been given some assurances by senior leaders.
The Central Election Committee (CEC) of the party had left it to the Congress high-command to take a decision on whether to allow MPs to contest the upcoming Assembly elections or not.
With a second list of 37 candidates on Thursday, the Congress has now announced candidates for all 92 of the 140 Assembly seats it is contesting in Kerala.
Sources said the top Congress leadership took the decision not to field any MPs despite pressure from some who were keen to contest the Assembly polls and return to the state.
This decision sends a clear message to the Congress's opponents, who were targeting the party for planning to field MPs in Assembly elections.
If allowed, this would have led to Lok Sabha bypolls, and the Congress leadership does not want to lose any seat in the Lower House of Parliament.
Leader of Opposition in Kerala V D Satheesan is learnt to have strongly opposed any move to allow MPs to contest the Assembly polls in the southern state.
Sources said Sudhakaran, a veteran Congress leader who has been a minister in Kerala in the past, was keen to contest the upcoming polls from the Kannur Assembly seat.
Sources also said at least five MPs, including Attingal MP Adoor Prakash (another former Kerala minister), wanted to contest the Assembly polls.
The Congress announced its second list of 37 candidates for the Kerala polls late on Thursday evening. It had announced its first list of 55 candidates two days ago.
The last date for filing nominations for the Kerala polls is March 23. The polling will be held on April 9 and the counting of votes will be taken up on May 4. The tenure of the current Kerala Assembly ends on May 23.