Thiruvananthapuram, May 12 — In a significant organisational reshuffle ahead of key elections, senior Congress leader and three-time MLA Sunny Joseph officially assumed charge as the new president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) on Monday. The leadership change was marked by a ceremony at the party’s headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, where outgoing president K Sudhakaran formally handed over responsibilities.
New Leadership Team Unveiled
Joining Joseph at the helm, P C Vishnunath MLA, Shafi Parambil MP, and A P Anil Kumar MLA took over as working presidents of the KPCC. Additionally, Adoor Prakash MP assumed the role of United Democratic Front (UDF) convener. The new leadership team has been tasked with steering the party through the upcoming local body elections and the 2026 state assembly polls.The event witnessed the attendance of several senior Congress leaders, party workers, and supporters, underlining the importance of the transition for the party's future in Kerala.
Joseph Launches Sharp Attack on BJP and CPI(M)
In his first address as KPCC president, Joseph did not hold back in his criticism of the ruling BJP at the Centre and the CPI(M) government in the state. He accused the BJP of reviving the British-era policy of divide and rule and declared the Congress as the only viable force capable of countering the saffron party.Joseph also charged the CPI(M) with indulging in corruption and promoting a "politics of violence," asserting that the Marxist party has no meaningful role in confronting the BJP at the national level.
Sudhakaran Vows Continued Support
Outgoing KPCC president K Sudhakaran reaffirmed his commitment to the party, stating that stepping down was not a setback for him. "I will continue to fight alongside the workers. We want to fight, we want to succeed, we want to rule," he said. Sudhakaran also highlighted the achievements during his tenure and expressed confidence in the new leadership.AICC Appeals for Unity
AICC general secretary K C Venugopal extended his support to the new leadership team and called for unity within the party. He warned that the Congress risked becoming irrelevant if its leaders and workers failed to rise above internal divisions and selfish interests.Echoing similar sentiments, AICC general secretary in-charge of Kerala Deepa Das Munshi, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, and senior leaders, including K Muraleedharan and M M Hassan, addressed the gathering, urging a collective effort to rejuvenate the party in the state.
Support from Veteran Leader A K Antony
Ahead of taking charge, Sunny Joseph visited veteran Congress leader A K Antony at his residence to seek his blessings. Antony later expressed his full confidence in the new KPCC team, stating that the AICC had entrusted them with the responsibility of leading the Congress-led UDF back to power in the 2026 assembly elections."If the new leadership can win the trust of all communities and strengthen both the Congress and the UDF, we can aim for a bigger victory than the one in 2001," Antony remarked.
Strategic Move by AICC
The leadership transition, announced on May 8, ended weeks of speculation within the party. Although Sudhakaran had initially opposed the decision, the AICC chose to induct a new face to energise the party ahead of the elections. To maintain internal balance, Sudhakaran has been appointed a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party’s highest decision-making body.With the new leadership in place, the Congress in Kerala is gearing up for a renewed push to reclaim political dominance in the state.
