New Delhi – The Congress party has released its second list of candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, finalizing names for 37 seats out of a total of 140. The selection process, which has involved key roles for Rahul Gandhi and general secretary K.C. Venugopal, has reportedly been marked by intense discussions and late-night meetings in Delhi. A meeting held at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence stretched from 10:30 PM to the early hours of the morning, suggesting significant disagreements within the party.
Sources indicate that Rahul Gandhi expressed dissatisfaction with the finalized candidate list, arguing that the responsibility for selection should primarily rest with the Kerala Congress leadership. Gandhi emphasized the need for candidate selection to be based on factors like caste dynamics, past electoral performance, and ground-level feedback, rather than solely centralized decision-making.
In other news, India received positive developments regarding oil tanker transit through the Hormuz Strait, where Iran has imposed restrictions. Two LPG tankers flagged in India are expected to pass through the strait, offering some relief. Additionally, the Uttarakhand High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Mohammad Deep Kumar, a Muslim shopkeeper, and the Supreme Court has temporarily halted proceedings regarding a controversial chapter on judicial corruption in Class VIII textbooks, directing a committee to revise the content. Finally, the US government announced it will offer undocumented immigrants residing in India free airfare and approximately $250,000 in assistance if they voluntarily return to India.
Furthermore, the CPI(M) in West Bengal is focusing on attracting young voters and addressing unemployment concerns, aiming to revitalize its youth base before the upcoming state elections. They have pledged to create employment opportunities, a key issue for the state where significant numbers of people have migrated due to lack of jobs.
