Even though some leaders continue to back incumbent president K Sudhakaran, the central leadership has clearly conveyed to him that a change is imminent.
Published May 04, 2025 | 11:25 AM ⚊ Updated May 04, 2025 | 2:29 PM
MP Anto Antony and MLA Sunny Joseph.
Synopsis: Pathanamthitta MP Anto Antony and Peravoor MLA Sunny Joseph are the top contenders to be the president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee. The party aims to face the Nilambur by-poll with a new state leadership.
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) is expected to announce the new chief of the party’s Kerala unit on Monday, 5 May, replacing Kannur MP K Sudhakaran.
According to sources, Pathanamthitta MP Anto Antony and Peravoor MLA Sunny Joseph have emerged as the top contenders to be the president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), sidelining another aspirant, Benny Behnan.
Even though some leaders continue to back incumbent president K Sudhakaran, the central leadership has clearly conveyed to him that a change is imminent. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi personally informed Sudhakaran of the decision during a meeting in Delhi on Friday.
Angamaly MLA Roji John was also considered but didn’t make the final cut. Sudhakaran is likely to be inducted into the Congress working committee as an invitee, while the leadership is trying to ensure a smooth transition by keeping him in the loop.
Despite confirming the meeting, Sudhakaran on Saturday claimed there was no talk of his removal but said he would accept any decision made by the leadership.
Similar speculation had surfaced earlier, when Shashi Tharoor defended Sudhakaran’s leadership, citing electoral gains under his tenure. However, Sudhakaran made it clear he will not resign until the LDF is ousted from power and said he had already conveyed this to the party leadership. He insisted he enjoys strong support from the public and party workers.
Dismissing rumours about his health, Sudhakaran said he recently attended several public events and accused the media of spreading false narratives.
He also noted that AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi had met him, adding, “If they wanted to remove me, they wouldn’t have met me. Rahul Gandhi even hugged me.”
Earlier, Ramesh Chennithala and Tharoor backed Sudhakaran, saying he should continue in his role.
The party aims to face the Nilambur by-poll with a new state leadership. Meanwhile, UDF convener MM Hassan has tasked Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan to hold talks with former Nilambur MLA PV Anvar regarding his induction into the alliance.
Anvar, who was an independent MLA supported by the LDF, resigned after having differences with the CPI(M)-led state government. He had floated an organisation, the Democratic Movement of Kerala (DMK) but later merged it with the the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and joined the party as its state convener.
Anvar has been seeking to be a part of the UDF, a proposal which has not become fruitful reportedly due to the Congress’ differences with the TMC at the national level. Currently, the UDF is seeking a limited cooperation from Anvar.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman.)
