Amidst speculation within the Kerala Congress unit about potential shifts ahead of the state assembly elections, senior leader K Muraleedharan has voiced a strong opinion against triggering by-elections. The veteran politician emphasized that such polls should be sidestepped whenever possible, highlighting a prevailing negative public perception associated with them.
Muraleedharan's Personal Regret Over Past Bypolls
In a candid reflection, Muraleedharan expressed personal remorse for having been the cause of two significant by-elections in Kerala's political history. The first instance occurred in 2004 for the Wadakkanchery seat, which fell vacant after he joined the state cabinet led by then Chief Minister A K Antony. The second was the Vattiyoorkavu bypoll in 2019, necessitated after he won the Lok Sabha election from the Vadakara constituency and vacated his assembly position.
The Rationale Behind Avoiding Bypolls
Muraleedharan elaborated on his stance, pointing to the court of public opinion. "We should avoid byelections as much as we can," he stated. He warned that whenever these mid-term polls are conducted, a negative sentiment takes root among voters. The public often views the decisions leading to by-elections as intentional and politically motivated, which can harm the party's image, he explained.
High Command's Authority Remains Supreme
Despite his strong personal view, the Congress leader was quick to clarify the party's chain of command. He underscored that the final decision on such matters rests solely with the Congress high command in Delhi. This statement comes at a time when reports suggest several Congress Members of Parliament from Kerala are considering switching to state politics, a move that would inevitably force by-elections for their current parliamentary seats.
Muraleedharan's comments serve as a cautionary note within the party, balancing internal ambitions with strategic electoral considerations. His advice stresses the importance of political stability and public trust, especially as the state gears up for future electoral battles.
