In a late-night meeting, Fr Antony Xavier Tharayil, Parish Vicar and one of the most respected voices in the ongoing agitation, advised Benny to step back.
Published Nov 18, 2025 | 8:46 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 18, 2025 | 8:46 PM
Joseph Benny (Centre) with protest leaders Martin (L) and Nelson.
Synopsis: Joseph Benny, the Convener of the Munambam Land Protection Council decided to contest the upcoming local body elections as a Congress candidate, but withdrew hours before the party officially announced his ‘surprise’ candidature at the Munambam division of the Vypeen Block Panchayat.
A political drama unfolded in Munambam, a Kochi suburb, even as Kerala heads towards the local body elections.
Residents of Munambam have been on a warpath demanding revenue rights over the land claimed by the Kerala State Waqf Board.
Joseph Benny, the Convener of the Munambam Land Protection Council decided to contest the upcoming local body elections as a Congress candidate, but withdrew hours before the party officially announced his ‘surprise’ candidature at the Munambam division of the Vypeen Block Panchayat.
On Tuesday, 18 November, Benny dropped a bombshell, saying he would not contest the polls.
The announcement came as a dramatic twist to what was already a politically charged atmosphere surrounding the 400-day-long land rights protest in Munambam.
The last 48 hours in Munambam have been a swirl of political drama, with Benny emerging as a surprise candidate, an unexpected intervention by the parish vicar, sharp accusations flying from the BJP, and an overnight U-turn by the Congress that has reshaped the local political narrative.
Benny’s candidature had carried political weight from the moment it was declared. Both the CPI(M) and BJP had earlier claimed the council’s backing, and the Congress’s move to field Benny was widely seen as an attempt to capitalise on the momentum of the people’s land rights struggle.
The council, under Benny’s leadership, had been at the forefront of mobilising over 600 aggrieved families whose lands were once claimed by the Waqf Board.
The group welcomed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and praised the state government’s decision to appoint a judicial commission—positioning themselves firmly as a non-partisan rights movement.
Speaking to South First, Benny initially said he agreed to contest only after advocate George Poonthottam, who represented the council in the High Court without charging a fee, urged him to accept the Congress ticket. Benny viewed it as a gesture of gratitude and recognition for the Munambam families’ long struggle.
But everything changed overnight.
In a late-night meeting, Fr Antony Xavier Tharayil, Parish Vicar and one of the most respected voices in the ongoing agitation, advised Benny to step back — at least for now.
”The vicar suggested we wait. Our priority is not elections or political gain. We are awaiting a solution for our issue. Tomorrow, the Kerala High Court hears the case again, and on the 21st, there is a Tribunal hearing. We are looking for a solution — not a seat. The vicar is our leader, so it is my duty to obey him.” Benny told South First.
His statement underscored a sentiment many in Munambam have voiced repeatedly: the fight is for land rights, not political mileage.
With that, Benny reversed his decision within hours of his candidature becoming public.
The BJP, however, strongly criticised the episode. Philip Joseph, BJP Minority Morcha head and a Munambam native, alleged that Benny’s brief candidature exposed ”hidden political agendas”.
He claimed that once Benny’s name was announced, protestors abandoned the strike site for the first time in 400 days.
”The council always said they were apolitical. But yesterday, when Joseph’s candidature came out, the protest site was empty for the first time. People realised he and others are Congress spies. His political background is inconsistent; he moved from the CPI(M) to Congress. The vicar was deeply upset and even cried after knowing about this cheating.” he told South First.
Joseph added that Congress quickly shifted its strategy and decided to field a woman candidate.
Congress sources confirmed to South First that Jasna Sanal, a seasoned politician and former Munambam panchayat representative, will now contest from the ward originally intended for Benny.
Jasna, speaking to South First, said, ”I will file my nomination on Friday. We didn’t know when Joseph Benny came into the picture. I am the party candidate.”
The drama unfolded even as 600 families continued their wait for the government to implement the High Court ruling that their land was not waqf property.
As the local body elections inch closer, Munambam has shown that the political heat has already begun — even before the official campaign season takes off.
Polling will take place in two phases, on 9 and 11 December.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
