A P Anil Kumar. (DC)

 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nearly six months after incumbent KPCC president Sunny Joseph joined the V. D. Satheesan Cabinet as Power Minister, the Congress high command and state leadership have yet to name his successor.

Several leaders, including Kodikkunnil Suresh MP, A P Anil Kumar, Joseph Vazhakkan, and Benny Behanan MP, are considered frontrunners.

Kodikkunnil Suresh, an eight-time MP and Special Invitee to the Congress Working Committee, has staked his claim for the top post. As the senior-most leader from the Dalit community in Kerala, he regards himself as the right choice based on his seniority, experience and as a representative of the marginalised communities.

The 62-year-old leader has also served as Union Minister of State for Labour in the UPA government.

Since Kerala has never had a PCC president from the Dalit community, many consider Kodikkunnil Suresh a strong candidate. Another prominent Congress leader from the Dalit community, A P Anil Kumar, 60, who is currently serving as Revenue Minister, is also a serious contender and is regarded as close to K C Venugopal.

While Anil Kumar has not formally expressed his claim, he stated that there is no competition among leaders aspiring for the PCC president post. Both Kodikkunnil Suresh and Anil Kumar currently serve as working presidents of the PCC.

Joseph Vazhakkan, 70, vice president of the KPCC and party spokesperson, is also in the race. He considers himself a strong contender for Sunny Joseph's successor and believes his appointment would help maintain good relations with the Church and the Christian community.

Benny Behanan, 74, MP of Chalakudy, is another candidate for the top post. He has extensive experience within the organisation, having served as PCC general secretary for 17 years and as convenor of the UDF.

Organisational secretary K C Venugopal stated that the decision would be made at an appropriate time in consultation with state leaders.

The Congress leadership is expected to consider factors such as community and caste balance. Chief Minister V D Satheesan and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala both belong to the Nair community, while UDF Convenor Adoor Prakash is from the dominant OBC Ezhava community. Consequently, some party members believe the PCC post should be assigned to either a Dalit leader or a member of a minority community.

Currently, there is no consensus within the state leadership regarding the PCC president's post. In the absence of a clear frontrunner, many party members believe Sunny Joseph should continue in the role for the time being.

However, they remain cautious about the intense lobbying among senior leaders, as the central leadership wishes to avoid factionalism. Central leaders note that there have been instances where Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers simultaneously held the PCC president position.

Given this context, appointing a PCC president without state-level agreement could be counterproductive, prompting the high command to maintain its wait-and-watch approach.

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