An emerging alliance between Chief Minister V D Satheesan and senior Congress leader V M Sudheeran is gaining attention as the Congress leadership prepares to appoint a new Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president.
According to party sources, the Satheesan-Sudheeran camp is backing Lok Sabha Chief Whip Kodikunnil Suresh for the top organisational post. The move is seen as part of Satheesan’s efforts to strengthen his influence within both the party structure and the government.
Kodikunnil’s name has emerged alongside that of MP Benny Behanan, who also enjoys support from influential sections within the Congress. Political observers believe the growing understanding between Satheesan and Sudheeran originated during the intense contest for the chief ministerial position, when Sudheeran reportedly supported Satheesan before the party high command.
Party insiders suggest this new alignment could significantly impact the internal balance of power, particularly at a time when the camp led by Congress general secretary K C Venugopal has not yet settled on a clear strategy regarding the appointment.
A veteran parliamentarian with eight consecutive Lok Sabha victories, Kodikunnil has long aspired to become the first Dalit leader to head the KPCC. Previous attempts did not succeed, with Sunny Joseph eventually being chosen for the role.
Meanwhile, Benny Behanan continues to be viewed as a strong contender. Sources indicate that he was earlier considered for the position during the Assembly election period, though the plan did not materialise.
Leaders close to Satheesan and Sudheeran believe that projecting Kodikunnil would help broaden the party’s social representation while also consolidating their political standing. Reports of Sudheeran being considered for the chairmanship of the Kerala Administrative Reforms Commission have further highlighted the growing closeness between the two leaders.
Though no final decision has been announced, party sources say Satheesan has already conveyed his preference to senior leaders. Congress insiders maintain that his views will carry considerable weight in the final selection process, given the need to maintain coordination between the government and the party organisation.
Supporters of Kodikunnil also point to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s emphasis on promoting leaders from Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes to prominent positions in both the party and government.
However, Satheesan’s increasing proximity to Sudheeran is not without critics. Some senior Congress leaders continue to hold reservations stemming from Sudheeran’s tenure as KPCC president during the Oommen Chandy government.
With the Venugopal camp yet to identify a preferred candidate, the race for the KPCC presidency is increasingly shaping up as a contest between Kodikunnil Suresh and Benny Behanan.
