Former Youth Congress Leader Shakes Up Kerala Politics with Independent Candidacy

A K Shanib, a former Youth Congress leader, is running as an independent candidate in the Palakkad Assembly bypoll, opposing the party's decision to field Youth Congress president Rahul Mamkootathil. Shanib claims his move won't aid the BJP and criticizes Congress leader V D Satheesan.

A defection within Kerala's Congress ranks has emerged as former Youth Congress leader A K Shanib announced his independent bid in the Palakkad Assembly bypoll.

Shanib, resigning from Congress over the Youth Congress president Rahul Mamkootathil's nomination, revealed his candidacy during a press conference, insisting he won't bolster BJP prospects.

The bypoll follows Shafi Parambil's Lok Sabha election. Shanib accuses Opposition Leader V D Satheesan of manipulating party dynamics to favor BJP and criticizes the lack of dissent from other discontent members.

(With inputs from agencies.)