Published Mar 18, 2026 | 6:56 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 18, 2026 | 6:56 PM
KC Venugopal, VD Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala
After spending a decade on the Opposition benches in the Kerala Assembly, the Congress is now trying to script an ambitious comeback story with the 2026 elections.
Confidence runs high among state leaders and party workers, many of whom are already speaking as if a return to power is a certainty.
However, on the ground, the contrast is stark. While the CPI(M) has surged ahead with aggressive campaigning and organisational clarity, Congress is still struggling to get its house in order.
The party has so far released candidates for only 55 of the 95 seats it plans to contest, leaving several crucial constituencies, including traditional strongholds in suspense.
Factional infighting and prolonged negotiations with allies are part of the delay.
But there is also a more telling reason. Aspirants for the chief minister’s post are reportedly working overtime to secure tickets for their loyalists — not necessarily to reward grassroots commitment or nurture second-line leadership, but to consolidate personal camps.
The calculation is simple — if victory comes, numerical strength within the legislative party could determine who ultimately claims the top chair.
In the Kochi Assembly constituency, local printing presses have been working round the clock over the past few days, churning out posters of Deepthy Mary Varghese in varied designs and colours. The publicity blitz has drawn public attention in several parts of the constituency.
However, Congress has not yet officially declared its candidate for Kochi, where sitting MLA KJ Maxi is already the CPI(M)’s official candidate.
Deepthy, a councillor in the Kochi Corporation and KPCC general secretary, is considered to be a loyalist of AICC general secretary KC Venugopal. She had earlier been widely projected as a mayoral contender but lost the race to VK Minimol.
Speaking to the media, Deepthy recalled that she had been promised the mayor’s post during the local body polls and said she now expects ”justice” in the Assembly ticket distribution.
The tussle reflects broader factional manoeuvring within the party.
Opposition leader VD Satheesan is backing Muhammed Shiyas, the Ernakulam DCC president for the Kochi seat.
A similar dispute has emerged in Perumbavoor, where sitting MLA Eldhose Kunnappilly, loyalist of Ramesh Chennithala has been denied renomination. Kunnappilly has publicly asserted that he could secure a winning margin of at least 15,000 votes if fielded again.
The denial, reportedly linked to allegations in a sexual harassment case, has sparked internal contradictions, especially as the party is simultaneously backing former CPI(M) leader PK Sasi in Ottappalam (Palakkad) despite similar controversies.
These developments have reinforced the perception that several senior leaders are prioritising the promotion of loyalists in key constituencies- moves widely interpreted as attempts to consolidate support ahead of post-election leadership contest for the Chief Minister’s post.
While Satheesan, Chennithala and Venugopal have projected an unusual show of unity ahead of the Assembly polls, internal competition for political primacy remains evident.
Satheesan enjoys a natural advantage in the leadership race. Yet, he continues to face resistance from sections within the party and from influential community organisations such as the NSS and SNDP.
Chennithala’s supporters argue that his tenure as Opposition leader between 2016 and 2021 was undermined by limited organisational backing, even as his seniority — spanning decades since his early rise under K Karunakaran remains a significant factor.
Meanwhile, Venugopal’s growing influence within the national leadership, particularly his proximity to Rahul Gandhi, has strengthened his camp’s position in candidate selection. Leaders aligned with him, including AP Anil Kumar, PC Vishnunath and Shafi Parambil are believed to be playing a decisive role in finalising the remaining list.
Palakkad Assembly constituency, once held by Shafi and later contested by Rahul Mamkoottathil, now sees his loyalist Ramesh Pisharody seeking votes.
Constituencies such as Chengannur and Kuttanad are also witnessing ticket-related frictions, while KPCC chief K Sudhakaran continues to hold sway in the northern belt.
However, CPI(M) and BJP are aggressively campaigning on the ground, the Congress appears preoccupied with leadership arithmetic. Public-relations strategists warn that early narrative control and campaign visibility can significantly shape voter perceptions, for better or worse!
