AICC General Secretary Deepa Dasmunsi told South First it is certain there will be more women candidates from the Congress this time.
Published Jan 17, 2026 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 17, 2026 | 9:00 AM
Based on internal surveys conducted by the AICC, the party is moving towards a major candidate realignment ahead of the 2026 Kerala Assembly election.
Synopsis: The Congress in Kerala is close to finalising its first list of candidates for the 2026 Assembly election after months of internal surveys. Sources indicated to South First that the party—prioritising winnability—is considering new faces, youth leaders and higher representation of women. Senior leaders have largely stepped back to make way for younger contenders.
Kerala’s political corridors are abuzz with behind-the-scenes discussions on strategies and key decisions. Party leaders have deliberately kept these away from the media and the public to avoid unnecessary debate.
The Congress in Kerala, in particular, has been exercising extra caution to ensure that such deliberations do not spill into the public domain, wary that speculation could trigger internal rifts.
However, after months of preparation, extensive discussions and carefully conducted surveys, the party has moved close to a decision on candidate selection, especially on new faces and youth leaders.
Based on internal surveys conducted by the AICC, the party is moving towards a major candidate realignment ahead of the 2026 Kerala Assembly election.
A four-member screening committee led by Madhusudan Mistry, along with AICC General Secretary Deepa Dasmunsi, has held meetings with several leaders.
Party insiders say three statewide surveys covering public opinion, feedback from party workers and views of prominent citizens are guiding the selection process, with a clear focus on winnability and public acceptance.
Malappuram District Congress Committee (DCC) President VS Joy and Ernakulam DCC President Muhammad Shiyas are under consideration for the Thiruvambady and Kalamassery seats respectively.
V.S Joy
Joy was earlier in contention for the Nilambur byelection but stepped aside in favour of Aryadan Shoukath after being assured an Assembly seat.
His decision earned him appreciation from the party high command and considerably improving his standing within the party.
The Thiruvambady constituency is currently represented by CPI(M) MLA Linto Joseph, who enjoys wide acceptance among the youth, making the seat a tough challenge for the Congress.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Shiyas, a close aide of Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan, rose to prominence as one of the key figures behind the UDF’s return to power in the Kochi Corporation.
However, a contest in Kalamassery is expected to be difficult, as the constituency is presently represented by Industries Minister P Rajeev of the CPI(M).
Youth Congress national secretary Abin Varkey is likely to be fielded from Aranmula in Pathanamthitta against two-term CPI(M) MLA Veena George, with the party hoping to reclaim the seat.
Both candidates belong to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. In the 2021 election, the LDF swept all five seats in Pathanamthitta.
Former Alathur MP Ramya Haridas is expected to be fielded from Adoor, a Scheduled Caste reserved constituency currently held by the CPI.
Congress Ernakulam district president Mohammad Shiyas speaking during an event. (Facebook)
Her defeat in the Chelakkara byelection held in November 2024 had triggered intense debate both within and outside the Congress at the time.
Responding to the criticism, then KPCC President K Sudhakaran had pointed out that Chelakkara had been a CPI(M) stronghold for nearly three decades and dismissed reports of internal dissent in the party over Haridas’s candidature.
In Adoor, party leaders say the groundwork for a tough electoral battle had already been laid by senior Congress leader MG Kannan, who passed away last year. Kannan, a former vice-president of the Pathanamthitta DCC, was considered a strong grassroots organiser in the constituency.
Adoor is currently represented by CPI leader and Deputy Speaker Chittayam Gopakumar.
Ramya Haridas told South First that no official list or names had been finalised so far. “No name has come officially. If the party asks me to contest from any constituency, I will obey the decision,” she said.
In Palakkad, the AICC is considering KPCC General Secretary Sandeep Varier as a possible replacement for expelled MLA Rahul Mamkootathil.
District leaders, however, maintained that Varier is yet to give his consent, with Palakkad MP Shafi Parambil playing a key role in the deliberations.
Reacting to the speculation, Varier said the party had not finalised any names.
Ramya Haridas
“I did not join the Congress after leaving the BJP to seek a seat or contest elections. Congress has a strong base in Palakkad, and Rahul’s controversy will not affect the party there, as he has already been expelled. People understand that the party has no association with him now,” he told South First.
When asked whether he would receive adequate support from the Congress, given that he is a relatively new entrant and was once a sharp critic of the party while in the BJP, Varier said he enjoyed broad acceptance within the UDF.
“Not just Congress workers, but leaders and workers across the UDF see me as one of them now,” he added.
AICC General Secretary Deepa Dasmunsi told South First it is certain there will be more women candidates from the Congress this time.
Other likely candidates include Youth Congress working president Binu Chulliyil for Chengannur, former KSU president KM Abhijith for Nadapuram, KPCC General Secretary Sooraj Ravi for Kollam, former KPCC president MM Hassan for Aruvikkara, KPCC member JS Akhil for Kazhakootam, AM Rohit for Thavanur, and Kozhikode KSU president VT Sooraj for Balussery.
Sandeep G Varier joined Congress ahead of Palakkad bypolls
As the list is only a preliminary one, no leader has openly admitted to being a candidate to avoid triggering internal debates. However, most leaders who spoke to South First said the list was almost final, with the possibility of minor changes in a few key constituencies.
“In 2021 also, I was included in the first list, but at the last moment Dr SS Lal contested for the Congress. So changes can happen anytime,” JS Akhil said.
“Last time, there were 53 youth candidates, but only three won. This time, the party is considering leaders who have worked at the grassroots level and those who are familiar faces among the people.”
An AICC source told South First that the state leadership played a crucial role in preparing the first list.
Deepa Dasmunsi
“Many senior leaders have agreed to step back from contesting and are ready to support younger faces. However, senior leaders will also be in the fray, including Aisha Potty from Kottarakkara. This election is essentially a generational shift within the Congress,” the source added.
VT Sooraj, who is being considered from Balussery, currently represented by CPI(M) MLA Sachin Dev, the husband of former Thiruvananthapuram Corporation mayor Arya Rajendran, also expressed confidence.
“Balussery is a rural constituency where development has come to a halt. Infrastructure projects such as a bypass and higher educational institutions are needed. The party has not officially conveyed anything about the candidature yet. The decision will be taken later,” he told South First.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
