Internal tensions within the Kerala unit of the Congress Party have become increasingly visible, with senior leader and MP K. Sudhakaran openly criticizing the All India Congress Committee’s (AICC) move to reconstitute the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) leadership.
Sudhakaran, speaking to the media in Kannur, expressed deep displeasure over his removal from the KPCC president post and suggested that the AICC’s decision was an attempt to sideline him from active Kerala politics.
“By naming me a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee (CWC), they tried to displace me from state leadership. But I had no desire to leave the KPCC post,” Sudhakaran stated, signaling visible cracks within the state Congress leadership.
Growing Rift Within Kerala Congress
Sudhakaran’s remarks have added fuel to an already brewing storm in the party’s Kerala unit, with several insiders reportedly unhappy over the abrupt KPCC leadership revamp. The latest developments are being seen as part of a larger power reshuffle initiated by the AICC, which has triggered discomfort among local veterans.
Party sources indicate that Sudhakaran’s continued popularity in northern Kerala, especially in Kannur, had made him a stronghold figure in the state. His removal without broader consultation has not gone unnoticed, and many believe this could spark factionalism within the Congress ranks in the run-up to future elections.
AICC Move Draws Mixed Reactions
While the AICC has maintained that the changes are aimed at revitalizing state leadership, the co-opting of Sudhakaran into the CWC is seen by many as a symbolic gesture to pacify him while paving way for younger or alternative leadership in Kerala.
Political analysts say such moves could backfire if grassroots dissatisfaction spreads, especially when the Congress is attempting to regain momentum in South India.
What Lies Ahead?
Sudhakaran’s comments mark a rare public expression of disapproval from a senior Congress MP, highlighting internal unrest that may escalate if not addressed. His demand to remain actively involved in KPCC affairs reflects a resistance to being politically side-lined, despite a prestigious nomination to the party’s central decision-making body.
Observers now await the AICC’s response, as the Congress leadership walks a tightrope between renewal and reconciliation.
