Sunny Joseph replaces K. Sudhakaran as Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has replaced K. Sudhakaran with Sunny Joseph as the new Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president. 

 

The decision came after days of suspense, with speculation mounting following Sudhakaran’s recent meeting with the Congress high command in Delhi.  Amid growing media discussions about his health and potential replacement, Sudhakaran had alleged that a faction within the party was attempting to sideline him. In an apparent move to resist an abrupt exit, posters demanding Sudhakaran's continuation as KPCC president had appeared across various parts of the state.

 

 

Sunny Joseph, a veteran Congress leader from Kannur and the current MLA from Peravoor, began his political journey as a Kerala Students Union (KSU) activist at Newman College, Thodupuzha in the 1970s.

 

 

There had also been widespread speculation that the Congress was considering appointing a Christian leader to maintain community balance, with reports suggesting that the Catholic Church was lobbying for the post. Sunny Joseph’s name was frequently mentioned among the top contenders. However, this narrative sparked a backlash from the Church, with the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church’s mouthpiece sharply criticizing the party in an editorial.

 

The AICC, while announcing the leadership change, acknowledged Sudhakaran’s contributions and appointed him as a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee. It remains to be seen how Sudhakaran’s loyal support base will respond to his removal.

 

In a broader organizational reshuffle, Adoor Prakash MP has been appointed the new United Democratic Front (UDF) convenor, replacing veteran leader M.M. Hassan. P.C. Vishnunadh MLA, A.P. Anilkumar MLA, and Shafi Parambil MP have been named as the new KPCC working presidents, replacing Kodikunnil Suresh MP, T.N. Prathapan, and T. Siddique MLA. Vishnunadh has also been relieved of his responsibilities as AICC Secretary.

India