The new appointment is expected to be temporary, with the final decision resting with the national leadership after careful consideration.
Published Aug 22, 2025 | 10:58 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 22, 2025 | 10:58 AM
Youth Congress state Vice-President Abin Varkey, National Secretary Binu Chulliyil, former Kerala Students Union (KSU) state President KM Abhijith, and Youth Congress state Vice-President OJ Janeesh.
Synopsis: Following Rahul Mamkootathil’s resignation, the post of Youth Congress Kerala president has opened up, with four leaders emerging as potential successors. Since the current president’s term has less than a year remaining, the new appointment is expected to be temporary.
Following Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil’s resignation over allegations of sexual exploitation of women, the post of Youth Congress Kerala president has opened up, with four leaders emerging as potential successors.
Mamkootathil announced his resignation on Thursday, 21 August, as Kerala president of the Youth Congress after allegations of sexual misconduct were made against him. However, Mamkootathil denied the allegations.
Mamkootathil said he resigned from the post since it was not the Congress party’s job to defend him.
The frontrunners include Youth Congress state Vice-President Abin Varkey, National Secretary Binu Chulliyil, former Kerala Students Union (KSU) state President KM Abhijith, and Youth Congress state Vice-President OJ Janeesh.
Since the current president’s term has less than a year remaining, the new appointment is expected to be temporary, with the final decision resting with the national leadership after careful consideration.
Varkey, who had finished runner-up to Mamkootathil in the Kerala Youth Congress presidential election two years ago, may have a claim to the post.
That election had been marred by allegations that Mamkootathil had manipulated votes using fake ID cards.
However, Varkey’s chances could be affected by the fact that key positions such as Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), Mahila Congress, and KSU president are already held by leaders from minority communities.
Binu Chulliyil is another prominent contender. Although he was considered a strong candidate during the previous presidential polls, senior leaders persuaded him to step aside, after which he was appointed as national secretary.
Janeesh, who enjoys a close association with Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal, is also being evaluated as a possible choice. Abhijith, who previously had close ties with leaders including Shafi Parambil, is seen as another potential candidate for the post.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman.)
