Kodikunnil Suresh Vying For Eighth-Term From Mavelikkara Despite His Desire For Replacement (Photo on X Kodikunnil Suresh @kodikunnilMP)

Kodikunnil Suresh, the Congress candidate from the Mavelikkara Scheduled Caste (SC) constituency is a veteran figure in politics. Born in 1962 in Kodikunnil, Thiruvananthapuram, Suresh completed a Bachelor of Law from the Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram.

An experienced parliamentarian, the seven-term MP reached the lower house at a younger at of 27 in 1989. Since his debut, the 62-year-old Suresh represented the Mavelikara and erstwhile Adoor constituencies. During the initial terms including 1989, 91, 96, and 99, Suresh was elected from the Adoor Lok Sabha constituency till its dissolution.

As a long-term MP from Mavelikara constituency, the eighth ticket given to Kodikunnil Suresh is speculated to bring about fluctuations in the result. The anti-incumbency is believed to play a role in the constituency. Reportedly, Mr Suresh has been urging the party leadership for a replacement as he expressed his wish to return to state politics and stay away from Parliament recently, according to The New Indian Express.

However, the failure to find a fitting successor is believed to be the reason for another ticket given to the seven-time MP for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Having assumed several important portfolios such as the general secretary of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee and member of the All Indian Congress Committee, Suresh boasts a wealth of organisational experience.

Notably, Suresh grabbed headlines when he faced allegations regarding his caste. The controversy engulfed the seven-time MP during the 2009 general elections as his opponents claimed that he was a Christian and the caste certificate he had was fake. As a result, the SC candidate’s electoral victory during the year was declared invalid by the Kerala High Court. However, the Supreme Court later jumped in and reversed the High Court decision, validating the result.

The MP has one criminal case against him and a total of over one crore assets as per his last affidavit. In the 2019 to 2024 term in Lok Sabha, Suresh had 86 percent attendance and participated in 124 debates. He has asked 304 questions and introduced eight private bills across sessions in Lok Sabha. He also serves as the party”s chief whip in the lower house.