Rumblings in Congress over KPCC rejig get louder with former president K. Sudhakaran expressing public displeasure

K. Sudhakaran
| Photo Credit: H. VIBHU

Distant rumblings of dissatisfaction with the recent reconstitution of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) appeared to draw closer on Thursday (May 15 2024), with party veteran K. Sudhakaran, MP, publicly expressing unhappiness at the All India Congress Committee’s (AICC) decision to remove him from the top post.

In a freewheeling conversation with reporters in Kannur, Mr. Sudhakaran signalled an allegedly growing disquiet in the Kerala unit of the party about the recent KPCC shake-up.

(Notably, former KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran had suggested in Thrissur on Wednesday that discussions in the party would have been more meaningful if they were conducted before the reorganisation and other leaders could make their stance clear on the matter soon.)

‘Caught unawares’

Mr Sudhakaran told reporters that the AICC had, at a stroke, “attempted to remove him from State politics” by co-opting him as a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee (CWC).

He said he had desired to remain as KPCC president. “I did not wish to be removed. The AICC decision caught me unawares. It has caused me acute mental distress”, he said.  

Mr Sudhakaran said the AICC general secretary of Kerala, Deepa Dasmunsi, had sought his removal on health grounds.

“I do not know who gave Ms Dasmunsi the unfounded information I was ailing. I also do not know whether she was acting as some national leader’s puppet. The question of why the powers removed me as KPCC president is relevant to the Congress’ rank-and-file,” he added. 

Mr Sudhakaran said neither AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge nor Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, had hinted they would remove him as KPCC president. “Mr. Gandhi hugged me when I met him and Mr. Kharge in New Delhi. Mr. Kharge invited me to his office for tea”, he said.

Mr Sudhakaran expressed dismay that the party did not give him an official send-off. However, he said he did not desire such a formal gesture.

CM candidate

Mr Sudhakaran also expressed the desire to contest the 2026 Assembly elections. He said as the Congress’ “frontline soldier” against the Left Democratic Front. Front (LDF), he, being in the fray, would charge up party workers and imbue them with a fierce fighting spirit. 

Mr Sudhakaran said “nothing was wrong” with Congress leaders aspiring to be the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) prospective Chief Ministerial candidate.

“At present, there is no serious discussion about such an eventuality. Several individuals covet the position, but how many will achieve their desire is an open-ended question. The AICC will take the final call”, Mr Sudhakaran said. 

On new KPCC president

Mr Sudhakaran said the new KPCC president, Sunny Joseph, MLA, was neither his nominee nor his standard-bearer. 

 “I elevated Mr Joseph in the party. I am satisfied that he replaced me. We share an excellent personal relationship,” he said. He added that “it is not as if Mr Joseph was elevated as KPCC president over other candidates as a concession for me”. 

Mr Sudhakaran said his Congress base remained loyal to him. “I am a resourceful leader. I touch the hearts of ordinary party workers, and they reciprocate”, he added.