New Delhi: Pressure is mounting to make BJP general secretary K Surendran its Lok Sabha candidate from the Pathanamthitta constituency in Kerala even as the party is likely to release a list of candidates anytime today. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is reportedly unhappy with the ongoing discussions to select the NDA candidates for the 20 constituencies in the state.
BJP central leadership’s decision will be crucial in the Pathanamthitta seat where its Kerala chief P Sreedharan Pillai is considered the frontrunner currently. A section of BJP leaders is lobbying to deploy Surendran from the seat. Many Surendran supporters asked BJP national president Amit Shah to consider his selection by posting messages in this regard on the latter's Facebook page.
Surendran’s candidacy from Pathanamthitta became uncertain after Pillai staked claim to it. State leadership has offered the former the Attingal seat. But Surendran might abstain if he is denied Pathanamthitta or Thrissur seat.
Meanwhile, BDJS president Thushar Vellappally’s candidacy from Thrissur is almost certain. BDJS might get Mavelikkara, Idukki, Alathur and Wayanad too.
The RSS, the mentor of BJP, is perturbed over the delay in announcing candidates.
Disagreements are detrimental to BJP’s chances, the RSS observed. Main leaders, including Surendran and Shobha Surendran, have to contest in key seats. The central leadership has to make creative intervention to make sure this happens, it added.
Latest reports says PK Krishnadas, Shobha Surendran and MT Ramesh may not contest this Lok Sabha election. Tom Vadakkan might get Ernakulam. Alphonse Kannanthanam – another Pathanamthitta aspirer – is being considered for Kollam.
The central leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is unlikely to consider the rehashed list the BJP state leaders has submitted to it. Community equations, RSS inputs and surveys held by the apex leaders will form the basis for the final list.
BJP and BDJS (Bharat Dharma Jana Sena) are constituents of the NDA, the National Democratic Alliance.
