Young faces P.C. Vishnunadh, Shafi Parambil, A.P. Anil Kumar appointed working presidents.
Thiruvananthapuram:Sunny Joseph, 72, a three-time MLA representing Peravoor in Kannur district, has been appointed president of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). He succeeds K. Sudhakaran, KPCC chief for four years and recently elevated to permanent invitee in the Congress Working Committee (CWC).
The AICC also announced a new leadership team for the party in Kerala, ahead of the Assembly elections in 2026. Adoor Prakash, MP, will be convener of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), Young politicians P.C. Vishnunadh, Shafi Parambil and A.P. Anil Kumar have been appointed working presidents of the KPCC.
Joseph, has been representing Peravoor since 1991. Known for his soft-spoken demeanour, he is an effective organisational leader and has previously served as the Kannur Congress president. Coming from the influential Catholic community, his elevation is seen as a positive signal to this demographic, particularly after the demise of prominent leaders like Oommen Chandy and the retirement of A.K. Antony.
The party has also faced electoral challenges in Christian-dominated areas in recent years, compounded by the Kerala Congress (Mani) party's shift to the CPM-led LDF and the BJP making inroads into the Christian vote bank, evidenced by their victory in the Lok Sabha elections from the Thrissur constituency. Discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi , state BJP leaders and Christian Church leaders over the past few years signify an ongoing effort to secure this voter base.
Adoor Prakash's appointment as UDF convenor is politically significant as he belongs to the dominant backward Ezhava community, which comprises 25 per cent of Kerala's population.The 69-year-old is Attingal MP and was health minister during Oommen Chandy's government from 2011 to 2016.
Shafi Paerambil, 42, and P.C. Vishnunadh, 47, represent a youthful shift in the KPCC leadership.
Parambil, known as a giant killer, defeated stalwart K.K. Shailaja in the last Lok Sabha elections and previously triumphed over ‘Metro Man’ E. Sreedharan in the 2021 Assembly elections. He representing the Palakkad constituency in the Lok Sabha.
Vishnunadh, a dynamic MLA groomed by Oomen Chandhy, brings further youthful energy to the leadership. A.P. Anil Kumar, 60, an experienced politician from the Malabar region, was also a minister in the previous Chandy government.
Veteran Congress leader Antony expressed his support for the new PCC team, commending outgoing president K. Sudharan for his leadership during which the party navigated various challenges and won a majority of the byelections. "I welcome the AICC's decision to appoint him as a permanent invitee to the CWC," Antony stated
Antony indicated that the new leadership is poised to collectively guide the Congress led UDF to victory in the upcoming local body elections later this year and to establish a Congress-led government in 2026.
He noted that many in Kerala are growing frustrated with the CPM led government, although they may not openly express their discontent. "They do not wish to see a third consecutive CPM government in Kerala. This sentiment is shared not only by Congress and UDF supporters but also by those who may oppose Congress," he said.
Political observers note that given the infighting within the Congress, it will be intriguing to see how disgruntled leaders respond to the leadership transition. Sudhakran had previously voiced his displeasure over the AICC decision to replace him due to health reasons, while leaders such as K Muraleedharan and Shashi Tharoor had supported Sudhakaran's continued leadership as PCC chief.
