Congress announced former Kerala CM Oommen Chandy's son, Chandy Oommen, as the candidate of the party for the Puthupally constituency that became vacant after the death of the Congress stalwart. The Puthupally constituency became vacant after former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy died due to a long illness. On Tuesday, Election Commission declared September 5 as the poll date for the vacant seat.
In a statement, AICC said, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge approved the candidature of Chandy Oommen as the party candidate for the byelection to Puthupally constituency.
Chandy passed away after receiving treatment at a private hospital in Bengaluru on July 18.
K Sudhakaran, the MP and president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), told the reporters in Delhi that AICC has given the nod to field Oommen as UDF and party candidate so Oommen would start campaigning on Wednesday. KPCC will put together a group to handle the campaigning. Additionally, Sudhakaran asserted that Rahul Gandhi's "politics of love" would start to take shape after the Puthuppally byelection.
"Chandy's memories would be there in Kerala's political arena, during the bypolls as well, in the people's minds. His memories will sway the people's minds, Congress is confident of that," he said adding, therefore Chandy Oommen will win by a huge margin.
He said that the bypoll would be an evaluation of the performance of the ruling LDF government in the state.
Talking to reporters, Chandy Oommen said, "It is a big responsibility that has been given by the party."
He said that he would carry out the responsibilities to the best of his abilities in constituency represented by his father for 53 years.
He also said that it would be a challenge to perform in the same position as his father.
"So it is a big challenge given to me by the party," he said.