In a dramatic move hours before the Congress’s list of candidates for the coming Assembly polls was expected to be announced on Monday, Benny Behanan, sitting MLA from Thrikkakara who was tipped to defend the seat with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s firm backing, withdrew his candidature.
His candidature was among those opposed by KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran at the Congress Election Committee meeting in New Delhi. But it got approved after an obstinate Mr. Chandy prevailed over Mr. Sudheeran and the party high command.
However, party vice president Rahul Gandhi was rumoured to have been dismayed by the way Mr. Chandy’s win dwarfed the high command’s stature and was keen to weed out Mr. Behanan, who opted out getting wind of the development.
Announcing his decision, Mr. Behanan tacitly accused Mr. Sudheeran of fomenting factionalism. He said he wished to stay away as Mr. Sudheeran was in favour of someone else contesting from Thrikkakara.
P.T. Thomas, whose name was being pushed by Mr. Sudheeran, may contest the seat now on the Congress ticket.
The announcement led to high drama as Hibi Eden, MLA, met Mr. Behanan soon after the press meet and broke down, as Mr. Behanan affectionately hugged him, asking him to cheer up.
Local Congress workers, who took umbrage at the developments that forced the decision, took out a march at Thrikkakara, expressing solidarity with Mr. Behanan.
Earlier, Mr. Behanan said the screening committee had no difficulty picking him up, as the subcommittee formed by KPCC and all UDF constituent parties backed his candidature.
The situation was conducive for any UDF candidate to win from Thrikkakara, thanks to the work he had carried out across the constituency, he said.
Putting up a brave face, he said while he would have happily contested, he did not want to put Mr. Chandy, who had thrown his weight behind him, under pressure. He said his decision to withdraw had been communicated to the party.
Mr. Sudheeran refused to comment on the development.
