Amid reports that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is planning to field Union Minister George Kurian from the Kanjirappally Assembly constituency, speculation is rife that the Congress may opt for a surprise candidate with a national appeal for the seat.
Party sources said the Congress central leadership has proposed Mathew Antony, AICC secretary and zonal talent hunt coordinator, as the candidate for Kanjirapally. Hailing from Changanassery and currently based in Mumbai, Mr. Antony is the son-in-law of a former Supreme Court judge. He serves as the AICC Secretary in charge of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.
Sources added that a survey conducted by the party’s national leadership showed that Mr. Antony was getting more support than local leaders, boosting his candidature. His strong family ties and local ties in Kanjirapally are also considered significant advantages.
With Kerala Congress (M) leader N Jayaraj seeking a fourth consecutive term and the BJP planning to field Mr Kurian to consolidate the Christian vote, the Congress leadership believes a Catholic candidate like Mr Antony could have a strategic advantage. “With the involvement of senior candidates like the government Chief Whip and Union Minister of State, the contest in Kanjirapally cannot be run by local leaders alone,” the party chief observed.
Mr Antony, a management expert, is expected to benefit from both his professional experience and his long-standing local contacts. However, the local Congress leadership reportedly raised concerns citing the complex communal dynamics of the constituency.
Earlier, Maria Oommen, elder daughter of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and sister of Puthuppally MLA Chandy Oommen, was also considered a potential candidate. Ms. Oommen has expressed interest in contesting from Kanjirapalla and has already met with various community and spiritual leaders in the area, including Bishop Mar Jose Pulickal.
She is currently involved in social initiatives through the Manna Charitable Trust – from distributing hospital food to supporting women with sewing machines – Mme. Oommen enjoys public goodwill. However, reports suggest that neither the leaders of the ‘A’ group nor the leadership of the Congress district support her candidacy.
Published – 28 Feb 2026 21:17 IST
