Vayalar Ravi is all set to get re-nominated as the Congress candidate to the Rajya Sabha in the April 16 elections to the Upper House of Parliament. The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) will formally recommend his name to the All India Congress Committee soon after a formal meeting on Friday to be attended by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.
The elections are being held to three seats that fell vacant after the tenure of Mr. Ravi, M.P. Achuthan of the CPI, and P Rajiv of the CPI(M) ended. Given the current political configuration in the Assembly, the United Democratic Front (UDF) can get two candidates elected. As per the understanding among the UDF partners, the Indian Union Muslim League will contest in the other seat. Mr. Ravi was in the State Capital the other day and held discussions with senior leaders here.
The Congress leadership had arrived at an understanding a couple of days ago to field Mr. Ravi once again. The party leadership has also arrived at a general understanding about fielding G. Karthikeyan’s wife T.M. Sulekha as the candidate for the Aruvikkara seat, with her consent being a mere formality considering the fact that the family is still in mourning, according to KPCC sources.
Mr. Ravi has been Rajya Sabha member for three terms from 1994-2000, 2003-2009 and 2009-2015.
