Considering that local bodies have 50 per cent of seats reserved for women, Congress in Kerala has suggested not to field women candidates from general seats in the coming elections.
This was one among the guidelines suggested by a party sub-committee, which was appointed to prepare a frame work for the selection of candidates.
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Congress state president V M Sudheeran said the party accepted the recommendations of the panel, headed by vice-president V D Satheesan. The suggestions would be communicated to the district level bodies, he said.
He said the candidate selection should be done at the lowest unit of the party and there would not be any incident of a candidate being foisted from a senior leader or a higher unit of the party.
Since the present reservation system has ensured 50 per cent of seats for women, they should be discouraged to contest from general seats. The trend of male party workers fielding their wives to retain the control of the local body should be discouraged. Eligible women leaders should not be sidelined such family rule, he said.
The panel has recommended that those involved in criminal cases, or faced allegations of moral turpitude should be kept away from contesting the elections.
Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India.
Expertise, Experience, and Authority
Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment.
Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes:
Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration.
Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules.
Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More
