Published Mar 07, 2026 | 5:06 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 07, 2026 | 5:06 PM
The upcoming concluding event of VD Satheesan's yatra is seen as the informal launch of the party's election campaign. (X)
Synopsis: Opposition Leader VS Satheesan had indicated that the party would have more women and youth as candidates this time. As a result, several second-line leaders from the Malabar to Travancore regions are actively lobbying for tickets.
Political circles in Kerala are closely watching the final leg of the Opposition Leader VD Satheesan’s Puthuyuga Yatra — a statewide public outreach programme — as the Congress prepares for a major political moment ahead of the Assembly elections.
The concluding event of the yatra is expected to see the party unveiling its ”Congress guarantees” — welfare commitments with a strong focus on women, similar to the schemes announced by the party in other states.
The finale, which is likely to be attended by national leaders, is seen by many Congress workers as the informal launch of the party’s election campaign in the State.
Beyond the policy announcements, the concluding stage of the yatra is also expected to carry subtle political messaging.
Many leaders, seen as probable candidates, are expected to share the stage, making the event a closely watched indicator of who might eventually figure in the party’s candidate list.
Within the Congress, one issue generating particular curiosity is the question of women’s representation.
Satheesan had earlier indicated that the party would have more women and youth as candidates this time. As a result, several second-line leaders from the Malabar to Travancore regions are actively lobbying for tickets.
The Congress leadership is preparing to release its first list of candidates, with around 50 names already finalised in Delhi.
Shanimol Usman
The announcement is expected within 24 hours of the Election Commission notifying the poll schedule, most likely in the coming week.
The party is likely to contest between 85 and 90 constituencies, slightly fewer than the 93 seats it had contested in the 2021 Assembly election.
Meanwhile, the IUML is set to retain its 27 seats, with 25 candidates contesting under the party symbol and two as common independent candidates.
Despite extensive discussions on candidate selection, women are unlikely to get even 10% representation in the Congress list.
Among the sitting MLAs, Uma Thomas remains the only woman as the party has largely decided to re-nominate sitting legislators, barring in Palakkad and Tripunithura.
In Palakkad, MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil will not be in the fray following sexual assault allegations, including rape charges, against him, while in Tripunithura, veteran leader K Babu has already announced his retirement from electoral politics.
However, a few women leaders are expected to find a place in the list. Bindu Krishna and Shanimol Usman are widely seen as likely nominees.
Speaking to South First, Usman, currently a member of the yatra committee, said the final decision would be announced soon.
”Everything will be announced this week, including my candidature” she said.
Former MP Ramya Haridas is also likely to be fielded, although the constituency has not yet been officially confirmed.
Bindu Krishna
Chelakkara was initially considered, but the seat is seen as difficult for the Congress, as CPI(M)’s UR Pradeep currently holds it.
Ramya was earlier considered for Chirayinkeezhu, and later the leadership explored fielding her from Adoor.
However, local Congress leaders have opposed the move. As a result, her candidature may come as a last-minute surprise from the party.
Meanwhile, the IUML may field two women candidates this time. The candidature of Jayanthi Jayarajan has almost received approval from the state leadership, as she is seen as a Hindu Dalit face that could help strengthen the party’s secular image, similar to the strategy it adopted in the local body elections.
KK Rema will again contest from Vadakara as the Revolutionary Marxist Party of India candidate with UDF support, a seat considered safe for the alliance.
South First spoke to several women leaders who are being considered for the Congress list.
Aritha Babu
Many of them indicated that discussions are still ongoing and that the final list could change even at the last moment, depending on the party’s internal consultations and seat-sharing arrangements.
Aritha Babu, the Youth Congress state vice-president, is being considered for Kayamkulam. When contacted, Aritha confirmed that discussions were underway.
”Discussions are ongoing. I am happy that I am being considered by the leadership” she said.
Though she has not been active in the constituency in recent days, Aritha said she has been staying with her mother, who is currently in a private hospital after undergoing angioplasty at Alappuzha Medical College Hospital.
She alleged that complications during the procedure worsened her mother’s condition, calling it another case of medical negligence.
Kayamkulam may not be an easy walk for Aritha, as the BJP is likely to field Shobha Surendran, while sitting MLA Prathibha Hari of the CPI(M) is also expected to be in the fray. Despite her absence, local Congress workers have already started groundwork in the constituency, anticipating her candidature.
Aisha Potty with Congress leaders
Another prominent entrant is Aisha Potty, who recently joined the Congress after leaving the CPI(M). Though she has not openly admitted her candidature, she has given strong indications to South First that she is likely to contest from Kottarakkara on a Congress ticket.
In Kannur, Amrutha Ramakrishnan may be considered as a candidate if K Sudhakaran decides not to contest.
While the Congress leadership is trying to finalise the list quickly, several constituencies remain under discussion, especially in Kottayam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram districts.
Amrutha Ramakrishnan
Candidate selection in Kottayam and Idukki will depend on the outcome of seat-sharing talks with Kerala Congress (Joseph).
The party is also proceeding cautiously in Thiruvananthapuram, where multiple aspirants are seeking the ticket, and the leadership wants candidates capable of surviving triangular contests.
Among the names in contention are CP John (of CMP), former minister VS Shivakumar, and former MLA KS Sabarinath.
If John is not fielded in Thiruvananthapuram, the UDF may consider accommodating him in Thiruvambady, currently with the IUML, while offering Pattambi or Thavanur to the League instead.
Other seat adjustments are also under discussion.
Congress has decided to take over Kongad from the Muslim League, where KA Thulasi will be the candidate, while the League may be offered Chelakkara in return. The Communist Marxist Party (CMP) will give up Nenmara, where Palakkad district committee president A Thankappan is likely to be the UDF candidate.
In Malampuzha, the Congress leadership remains divided over fielding A Suresh, a former aide of VS Achuthanandan. Local leaders insist that the party must field an official Congress candidate to remain competitive.
Meanwhile, former CPI(M) MLA PK Sasi, who was expelled from the party after openly criticising its leadership, could contest from Ottapalam as a UDF-backed Independent.
The Congress has decided that the first list will be announced after the Puthuyuga Yatra concludes on Saturday, 7 March.
Satheesan and KPCC president Sunny Joseph have already submitted the list of agreed candidates to the screening committee headed by Madhusudan Mistry in Delhi.
The party’s Central Election Committee is yet to give final approval.
The leadership has also indicated that it is not concerned about other parties announcing candidates earlier. Satheesan said the party is pacing its campaign carefully because the election may be held towards the end of April, and announcing candidates too early would increase campaign expenses.
Still, with the yatra concluding on Saturday and the first candidate list expected soon, the political buzz now centres on whether the Congress will expand women’s representation or if, despite the rising expectations within the party, the final list will once again leave women with little more than hope.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
