Wayanad Cong MP faces dissent

The Wayanad constituency continues to pose a challenge for the Congress party as more signs of opposition emerged from within against its candidate and incumbent MP, M I Shanavas, on Monday.

Shanavas is seeking another Lok Sabha term from Wayanad on the steam of his landslide victory in 2009. But posters that appeared in some locations in the constituency are making it seem as if his candidature has become unacceptable for certain factions within the Congress itself.

Posters released by ‘Save Congress Forum’ predict a loss for the party in Wayanad. “The Congress will lose in Wayanad. Ramesh ChennithalMarch 17, 2014, DHNS:a, DCC and the party High Command will be responsible for the defeat,” the posters said, even as Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala was set to open the party convention in the district on Monday.

Shanavas had registered an impressive victory in Kerala in the last election, defeating M Rahmatulla of the CPI by over 1.5 lakh votes.