Thiruvananthapuram, July 19: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday advised the Kerala Congress state leadership to avoid overconfidence following the Nilambur by-election victory. During a meeting with senior Congress leaders in Kerala, including AICC general secretaries K C Venugopal and Deepa Dasmunsi, KPCC president Sunny Joseph, UDF convenor Adoor Prakash, and others, Rahul expressed concern that the success could make the party and leadership overconfident, which could be dangerous for the upcoming assembly elections against both the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The discussion revolved around the current political scenario in the state. Rahul’s warning comes amidst growing criticism against CPM leader EP Jayarajan over allegations of corruption and misconduct, which has intensified debates within the political circles of Kerala.
In the recent Nilambur by-election, the United Democratic Front (UDF) won a decisive victory, a development that has raised hopes among the Congress party and its allies. However, Rahul Gandhi highlighted the importance of maintaining cautious optimism as the assembly elections are scheduled for next year, with both the CPM and BJP posing significant challenges.
The Kerala Congress leadership is currently making preparations for the upcoming polls, aiming to regain power after losing the 2016 Assembly Elections to the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF). The 2026 assembly elections will be a crucial test for the UDF’s strategy and unity.
Meanwhile, Jayarajan, who is also the CPM’s Kannur district secretary, has been facing allegations of misconduct in various instances. These allegations have escalated tension between the Congress and the CPM in Kerala. The latest controversy surrounds a WhatsApp group chat involving Jayarajan and other officials from the state government.
Amidst these circumstances, Rahul Gandhi’s advice to the Kerala Congress leadership serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and strategic planning in the lead-up to the 2026 assembly elections. The UDF will need to navigate the complex political landscape of Kerala while addressing internal issues within the party to stand a chance against both the CPM and BJP.
