From revolt to loyalty: 24-hour crisis that shook Congress in Kerala

NEW DELHI: KPCC President Sunny Joseph and Opposition Leader VD Satheesan decided to hold roadshows in their respective constituencies on Thursday and booked return tickets from Delhi, expecting to complete the candidate selection process by Tuesday. However, discussions took a turn for the worse for both the Kerala leaders and the high command due to pressure from MP K Sudhakaran, who remained in his Delhi flat. After the Central Election Committee meeting held at the Indira Bhavan party headquarters on Wednesday evening failed to reach a decision on MPs contesting the Legislative Assembly elections—specifically regarding candidates for constituencies including Idukki and Ernakulam—the leaders went to President Kharge's residence at 10:30 pm. Kharge emphasised that sitting MPs should not contest, a stance supported by VD Satheesan. The meeting lasted until 2:30 am but adjourned without resolving the disputes. Following the session, Sunny Joseph went straight to the airport, while VD Satheesan returned on a 4:30 am flight.

With the leaders’ departure, the focus of Kerala’s Congress politics shifted to Godavari, K Sudhakaran’s residence, on Thursday morning. Disappointed by reports that he would not receive a seat, Sudhakaran announced a press conference for 12 noon, while his followers began protesting in Kannur. Rumours spread that Sudhakaran might form his own party or contest as an independent. This prompted a resumption of discussions; Ramesh Chennithala spoke with Rahul Gandhi from Kerala, warning that excluding a prominent leader of the Ezhava community would be politically harmful. Senior leader AK Antony also advised Sudhakaran against damaging the party with a press conference, leading Sudhakaran to hold back in hopes of a resolution.

Further complications arose when Adoor Prakash MP wrote to the high command demanding to contest from Konni. Meanwhile, Rajmohan Unnithan suggested that the list excluding MPs, which had already been approved by the Central Election Committee, might not be revised. Uncertainty peaked after noon following news that Sudhakaran had not been granted the Kannur seat. All eyes remained on Godavari for his final decision. At 6 pm, media personnel gathered at the flat received word that Sudhakaran would finally speak. National media and police arrived shortly before he left at 7:45 pm to catch a 9:45 pm flight to Kannur. Stopping his car at the gate, Sudhakaran ended the rumours by declaring himself a party loyalist.