The Congress high command is unlikely to finalise the new Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president before Onam, despite growing pressure from the state unit for an early appointment. The AICC is treating the issue as politically sensitive and is opting for wider consultations rather than taking a hurried decision.
Although the high command is believed to have narrowed down its choices, the process has slowed because Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan and AICC organisational general secretary K C Venugopal have refrained from openly supporting any particular aspirant. Both leaders appear reluctant to take responsibility for a decision that could intensify factional tensions within the Kerala unit.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala met senior central leaders on Thursday and pressed for the appointment to be completed without further delay.
The AICC is currently focusing on organisational changes in Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. With Kerala having a newly formed government, the leadership apparently sees less immediate organisational urgency in the state.
Kodikunnil Suresh and former UDF chairman Benny Behanan were among the initial contenders for the KPCC post. Mathew Kuzhalnadan and Shafi Parambil subsequently emerged as contenders, while Joseph Vazhakkan and Anto Antony are also in the running. Kodikunnil is regarded as close to Satheesan, while Mathew and Shafi are considered to have the backing of Venugopal. Benny has support from different factions, whereas Vazhakkan is backed by Chennithala.
The selection process slowed further after Satheesan and Venugopal chose not to endorse individual candidates. Satheesan has stressed the need for the incoming KPCC president to maintain close coordination with the government. Venugopal, meanwhile, has favoured an organisational consultation process similar to the one used to select the Congress parliamentary party leader, thereby avoiding a direct endorsement of any aspirant.
The prolonged vacancy is creating concern within the state Congress. With KPCC president Sunny Joseph and working presidents A P Anil Kumar and P C Vishnunath becoming ministers, along with six DCC presidents entering the Assembly, the party is operating without a full-fledged leadership structure. Sunny had already informed the AICC of his intention to step down following his induction into the cabinet.
The absence of a permanent KPCC leadership is also affecting coordination between the party organisation and the government. The delay has raised questions within the state unit, particularly as Tamil Nadu has proceeded with its organisational appointment despite having no immediate Assembly election.
Reorganisation of the KPCC and district Congress committees can begin only after the new state president takes charge. The delay highlights the challenge before the high command in managing Kerala’s competing power centres. The involvement of Rahul Gandhi in Kerala affairs, Venugopal’s key organisational role at the AICC and Priyanka Gandhi’s presence in Parliament have further complicated the decision-making process.
The selection process is expected to gain momentum after Onam, when the high command is likely to consider Deepa Dasmunsi’s report and hold consultations with senior Kerala Congress leaders before finalising the new KPCC president.
