Will Congress in Kerala opt for a broader generational shift after rejig in the top brass?

The Congress in Kerala has infused fresh energy at the top with the appointment of Sunny Joseph as KPCC president, Adoor Prakash MP as UDF convenor, and P.C. Vishnunadh MLA, A.P. Anilkumar MLA, and Shafi Parambil MP as KPCC working presidents. However, murmurs within the party point to the need for a broader generational shift—not just in top leadership, but across all tiers and in candidate selection for the upcoming local body polls and the 2026 Assembly elections.

At the May 12 event where Sunny Joseph formally took charge, senior leader K. Muraleedharan openly called for the replacement of long-serving faces, including himself, with new and younger candidates. Echoing this sentiment, party intellectual Cherian Philip stressed that the ongoing reorganisation of KPCC and DCC office-bearers must exclude those who have kept positions for years.

“Priority should be given to those with legacy, merit, and qualifications—those who have remained loyal to the Congress despite being repeatedly sidelined for lacking factional backing,” he said. “If the Congress is to win local body and Assembly elections, a generational change at all levels is essential. To address the organisational weaknesses, a fresh infusion of new blood is inevitable.”

Notably, the Raipur session of the All India Congress Committee had decided to allocate 50 per cent of party positions to those under 50. There was also a mandate to allocate 25 per cent of positions to women and members of backward communities. Philip demanded that these mandates must not be overlooked, adding, “Within the Congress, there exist two classes of people: those who have and those who do not. Some leaders who have clung to power continuously since their youth show no signs of letting go of their thirst for authority.”

There are indications that the High Command is now pushing for a balanced approach—retaining the experience of veterans while filling the majority of positions with young blood. While factionalism has long plagued the party in Kerala—particularly the once-dominant 'A' and 'I' groups—their influence has waned. What now exists are several smaller, less rigid, and less influential factions. This is seen as an ideal context for introducing fresh leadership across various levels of the organisation.

Notably, the party aims to complete the reorganisation by the end of this month to gear up for the local body elections. New KPCC vice presidents and general secretaries will be announced soon, and leadership changes are also planned for the District Congress Committees. The party leadership has prepared a roadmap for the upcoming elections, and special office-bearers will be appointed to implement it. Reports suggest that young leaders are being considered for these key roles.

India