K Sudhakaran returns as Kerala Congress chief after power struggle

He was given a warm welcome by his admirers at the party headquarters here by draping shawls and raising slogans.

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress leader K Sudhakaran resumed the charges of Kerala PCC president on Wednesday amidst reports that a section in the party was trying to unseat him.

The resentment in the party was quite evident as United Democratic Front convenor M M Hassan, who has been holding the charges of the Kerala PCC president, was absent while Sudhakaran resumed the PCC president post at Indira Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram.

Sudhakaran even told reporters that he would review certain decisions taken by Hassan, especially the one to reinstate a party leader, M A Latheef, who was earlier expelled for anti-organisation acts.

The PCC president's charge was given to Hassan ahead of the Lok Sabha polls as Sudhakaran was contesting to the Lok Sabha from his sitting seat Kannur. Though Sudhakaran was expecting to resume the president post at the post-poll review meeting of the party state leadership last week, a section suggested that Sudhakaran shall wait until the results come. AICC general secretary in charge of Kerala Deepa Dasmunshi and AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal too reportedly backed the opinion and also wanted to wait for AICC's decision too.

This triggered serious concern among Sudhakaran and his supporters that a move to unseat him was on. Moreover, a section of senior leaders in the party too wished that Hassan continued as the PCC president.

Sensing the moves, Sudhakaran stepped up his pressure on the AICC. He was learnt to have conveyed his displeasure to the AICC, following which the AICC gave him the nod to resume the charge of president.

Sources point out that the fresh moves could be even considered as the beginning of the power struggles the Congress may witness in the due course. The Assembly elections in Kerala are set to happen in 2026 and many senior leaders are already pinning hopes of Congress returning to power and becoming the chief minister.

A total revamp of the party leadership ahead of the Assembly polls too can't be ruled out, said sources.