KC Venugopal likely to contest from Alappuzha in Kerala Assembly polls

Senior Congress leader and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal is likely to contest the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, signalling a shift from national to state politics as the party seeks to strengthen its position in the state.

According to party sources, the Indian National Congress high command is considering fielding Venugopal from the Alappuzha Assembly constituency.

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Recent internal surveys reportedly suggest that his candidature could significantly boost the prospects of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), particularly in his home turf. Venugopal currently represents Alappuzha in the Lok Sabha.

Some Congress sources indicated that if the UDF secures a majority in the Assembly elections, Venugopal,considered one of the most senior organisational leaders of the party in the state, could also emerge as a contender for the post of Chief Minister.

Venugopal has been actively touring Alappuzha and nearby areas for nearly a month, which is being seen by party insiders as a sign that he may contest from the constituency in the Assembly polls.

A seasoned politician in Alappuzha, Venugopal previously won the Assembly seat in 1996, 2001 and 2006. He was later elected to the Lok Sabha in 2009, 2014, 2019 and again in 2024.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Alappuzha on Saturday, Venugopal expressed confidence that the Congress-led UDF would register a resounding victory in the upcoming Assembly elections.

“The current political situation in Kerala indicates that the UDF will win more than 100 seats in the Assembly,” he said.

Venugopal added that the party would soon announce its candidates for the elections, stressing that the primary criterion for ticket distribution would be the winnability of candidates.

He also said that the party has not yet taken a decision on whether sitting MPs would be fielded in the Assembly polls.