By Siddharth Sharma
Alappuzha (Keralam) [India], April 3 : Congress leader and Haripad assembly candidate Ramesh Chennithala on Friday said the party leadership would take the final call on projecting him as a Chief Ministerial face in Kerala, stressing his decades-long association with the Gandhi-Nehru family.
Referring to his 50-year relationship with Sonia Gandhi and the Nehru family, Chennithala said he would abide by whatever decision the party makes.
"The party will decide. I have a strong association with the Sonia Gandhi-Nehru family for 50 years; I will follow what they decide," he told ANI.
Asked about his personal preference between Trivandrum and Delhi, Chennithala said, "I like Delhi and Trivandrum both. I will follow what party leadership decides."
Further, Chennithala exuded confidence that the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) will return to power in the upcoming Keralam Assembly elections.
"Only a few days are left. Congress' prospects look very promising. The Congress-led UDF will form the government. People are with us. Nothing significant has happened in the last ten years. Kerala has regressed. People are on our side. The government will be formed under Congress leadership with a majority," he said.
On the UDF manifesto, Chennithala described it as the best, highlighting key promises including Indira guarantees such as a ₹2,000 pension, ₹5 lakh interest-free loans for youth, free KSRTC travel for women, ₹1,000 monthly for college-going girls, the formation of a separate ministry for senior citizens, and provisions for health insurance.
"People trust our manifesto," he said.
Criticising the incumbent LDF government, Chennithala added, "Nothing happened in the last ten years under the current government. People are suffering and unhappy. They will favour us after seeing the government's performance over the last ten years. Our positive agenda will also gain trust, leading to our government's formation."
"The BJP is not a factor here. Communal politics will not work in Kerala. People here are educated. They (the BJP) do not contest to win, but to cut votes," he added.
Addressing the LDF's strategy of projecting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as a poster boy, Chennithala said, "Pinarayi Vijayan is the Chief Minister, so they will project him. They lack other leaders. Our case is not like that. There are many capable people. Everyone's face is among the people. The people will choose who will be the best chief minister. There is no infighting in Congress."
Polling for the 2026 Keralam Legislative Assembly elections will be held on April 9, with the counting of votes on May 4. The tenure of the current assembly is set to conclude on May 23.
The incumbent CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front aims to retain power in the 140-member assembly.
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