Unrest in BJP over Pathanamthitta seat delay

The delay by the BJP in announcing candidate for the Pathanamthitta constituency in Kerala has triggered speculation and resentment in the party camps in Kerala.

It has been reliably learnt that the BJP was awaiting the announcement of its coalition partner Bharath Dharma Jana Sena's (BDJS) candidate for Thirussur constituency.

Though the BJP wanted the BDJS's leader Thushar Vellapally to contest, Thushar's father and SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan was putting pressure against this as Natesan with the Left Front.

A BJP source said that if Thushar doesn't contest in Thrissur, the BJP would find a winnable candidate, probably BJP general secretary K Surendran, at Thrissur.

Surendran will otherwise be fielded from Pathanamthitta.

If Surendran contests from Thrissur, BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai or BJP state general secretary M T Ramesh will be fielded from Pathanamthitta.

There were also unconfirmed reports that the BJP was also looking for prospective candidates for Pathanamthitta.

BJP leaders in the state, including Sreedharan Pillai, have told the media that they were not aware of the reason for the delay in announcing the Pathanamthitta candidate.

Party workers at the grassroots feel that the leadership is creating unnecessary confusion, which might affect the party's chances at the polls.