K Sudhakaran to take over KPCC presidency, temporarily quelling leadership change turmoil in state Congress

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: K Sudhakaran will assume the role of KPCC president today, temporarily halting the disturbances caused by heated discussions over leadership changes in the state Congress. Sudhakaran and Acting President MM Hasan have received notification from the High Command permitting this transition. Sudhakaran will take over from MM Hasan at the KPCC headquarters at 11 am.

Kannur MP Sudhakaran was a candidate in the recent elections, and the responsibility was temporarily transferred to Hasan. However, after the elections, the KPCC leadership meeting held on the 4th did not allow the High Command to restore his status. Deepadas Munshi, the AICC General Secretary in charge of Kerala, informed him that the election must be completed including vote counting, before he could assume office.

While Sudhakaran did not publicly express dissatisfaction with the High Command's decision, his camp felt he had been humiliated. In the election review meeting, leaders and candidates highlighted organizational weaknesses asserting that proceeding in this manner was untenable. Sudhakaran lodged a complaint with the High Command once discussions about leadership changes became active following the elections. Pressure from close aides was also exerted. Additionally, it was decided not to travel to the capital without obtaining permission from the national leadership. His camp also persuaded state leaders that entangling K. Sudhakaran would not bode well for the party. Subsequently, the AICC agreed to reinstate him.

Sudhakaran believes that vested interests are the cause of the confusion. He also feels that certain factions, which lost influence after K Sudhakaran and V D Satheesan assumed leadership roles, have sown confusion regarding the transfer of responsibility. With the election results coming in, discussions about leadership changes have become fodder for criticism within the party.

K Sudhakaran stated that he would assume the KPCC presidency without any uncertainty. He informed reporters in Angamaly that unlike Pinarayi Vijayan, the sole Chief Minister of the CPM, who refrained from interfering in other states' election activities, clarity is needed on whether trips are funded by the government or sponsored.