While political parties are campaigning with vigor in Idukki district, there has been an internal split within the United Democratic Front (UDF). The Congress in Kerala, a key ally of the PJ Joseph-led UDF, has raised strong opposition to the Congress’ takeover of the Idukki Assembly constituency seat. Kerala Congress leaders have openly expressed their disapproval, saying they have not yet decided whether to campaign for UDF candidate Roy K. Paulos.
Speaking to the media, party high-powered committee member Thomas Perumana expressed the displeasure of party workers over taking over the seat. “The High Power Committee will convene a meeting in the next two or three days to decide whether KC workers should join the UDF campaign in Idukki constituency,” he said.
A senior Kerala Congress leader claimed that the Congress had been planning to win back the seat for months. “Kerala Congress workers actively campaigned to ensure the victory of the Congress in the last local body elections, which resulted in a massive victory in Idukki. After this clean sweep, the Congress tried to push us away, culminating in the capture of this seat,” the leader said.
The leader further noted that while Kerala Congress president PJ Joseph said the seat was handed over to the Congress only for this term, there were deep concerns within the party. “We are sure that if the Congress wins Idukki now, it will not return the seat to the Kerala Congress in the future. The reality is that the Kerala Congress has effectively lost its seat in Idukki,” the leader added.
Congress leader Roy K. Paulose emerged as a surprise candidate for the UDF after the Congress successfully negotiated the seat from its ally. Meanwhile, local workers fear that this internal friction between the two parties will negatively affect the UDF’s chances of victory. Water Resources Minister and Kerala Congress (M) leader Roshy Augustine is the LDF candidate for this constituency.
Published – 21 March 2026 20:26 IST
