As the campaign for the local body elections gains pace across political fronts, the Congress leadership in Wayanad has secured a major breather. A majority of dissidents who had staked claims for over a dozen seats have withdrawn their nominations, clearing the path for the party’s official candidates in key panchayat divisions.

The dispute resolution efforts were spearheaded by AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, who intervened directly to pacify rival factions and reinforce unity within the district leadership.

However, two prominent UDF rebels remain in the fray and continue to challenge Congress-backed nominees. Youth Congress leader Binu Jacob is contesting from the Poothadi Division of the Block Panchayat against Samshad Marakkar, the outgoing District Panchayat president and Youth Congress leader. At the Meenangadi Division of the District Panchayat, Linto K Kuriakkose, Youth Congress Sulthan Bathery mandalam vice-president, has filed his nomination as a Kerala Congress candidate. The Congress nominee in Meenangadi is KSU district president Goutham Gokuldas.

Meanwhile, the party has suspended Adv. Gladys Cheriyan and Noushad Puthanthara, candidates from wards 9 and 10 of the Mananthavadi municipality, chose to contest as rebels. Two party workers—Thundathil Vijayan and Nissam Chillu—were also suspended for supporting them.

At Poothadi, Samshad Marakkar is facing stiff resistance from Binu Jacob. Samshad, who opted to contest at the block level, accused certain factions of covertly aiding the LDF. “We will not allow anyone to campaign against the UDF to benefit the LDF. Party workers will recognise such attempts,” he said.

Binu Jacob, in turn, accused the DCC leadership of sidelining the I-group. “The belief that the party machinery will automatically support official candidates no longer holds true. Voters will reject decisions imposed by the leadership,” he said, adding that the results will “teach them a lesson.”

Discontent has also surfaced over the exclusion of Jasheer, a popular member who represented the Arappatta Division of the Kalpetta Block Panchayat and was expecting to be fielded in the Thomattuchal Division.

DCC president Adv T J Isaac told Onmanorama that the UDF is confident of a strong performance across the district. “Though there were many aspirants in a few divisions, most have withdrawn. We are fully prepared to defeat the LDF, and the contest will now be smooth for the UDF camp,” he said.