CPI(M)'s 'giant killer' Aisha Potty joins Congress in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: In a fillip to the Congress-led United Democratic Front in Kerala just ahead of the state Assembly polls, a prominent woman leader of the CPM joined the Congress, while there are strong rumors that regional party Kerala Congress (M) will make a come back to the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) from the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) .

P Aisha Potty, a former three time MLA from Kottarakkara in Kollam district, joined the Congress, accusing the CPM of neglecting her.

Potty's entry into the Kerala Assembly in 2006 was a major political development as she wrested the seat from regional party Kerala Congress (B) leader R Balakrishna Pillai who had been Kottarakkara MLA for over 25 years in a row. It earned her the title of 'Giant killer'. Potty also scripted hat-trick victory at Kottarakara - in 2006, 2011 and 2016.

But she was denied the seat in 2021. At present finance minister K N Balagopal is representing Kottarakara.

With Potty joining the Congress, there are strong rumours that she might be fielded by the Congress at Kottarakara.

Meanwhile, the absence of KC(M) chairman Rajya Sabha MP Jose K Mani in the stir led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the centre on Monday has further fueled speculations that the KC(M) may make a comeback to the UDF. There were also reports that AICC top leader Sonia Gandhi had directly spoken to Jose, who is the son of former minister K M Mani - who was a tall figure in Kerala politics.

The church leaderships in Kerala are also reportedly putting pressure on KC(M) to return to the Congress. KC(M), which has five MLAs, is having strong influence among the Christian belts of central Kerala.

However, Jose said in a social media post that the ongoing discussions outside the party on the party's political position has no connection with the party. It has been reiterated that KC(M) political position is to be with the LDF, he said.

Opposition leader V D Satheesan reiterated that more parties from LDF and BJP camps will join the UDF soon.

It is reliably learnt that a large section in the party, including Jose, were in favour of making a comeback to the UDF, whereas another faction led by water resources minister Roshy Agustine prefers to remain in the LDF itself. Jose also wants to get back the Pala seat in Kottayam which was held by his father for a record term of more than 50 years in a row. After Mani's death, independent member Mani C Kappan wrested the seat. He also defeated Jose in the 2021 election.

Candidate selection process on

AICC's screening committee led by Madhusudan Mistry has reached Kerala to kick off the candidate selection process.

AICC is learnt to have conducted surveys to identify winnable candidates in the state. After preliminary discussions in Kerala, the state leader will be going to Delhi by next week for further discussions.

With the recent local body results brightening Congress's hopes of returning to power in Kerala, even many sitting MPs were reportedly showing keen interest to contest in the state assembly election.