Rumblings in Congress over KPCC rejig get louder with former president K. Sudhakaran expressing public displeasure

K. Sudhakaran expresses dissatisfaction with KPCC reconstitution, signals growing disquiet in Kerala Congress unit.

Distant rumblings of dissatisfaction with the recent reconstitution of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) appeared to draw closer on Thursday (May 15 2024), with party veteran K. Sudhakaran, MP, publicly expressing unhappiness at the All India Congress Committee’s (AICC) decision to remove him from the top post.

In a freewheeling conversation with reporters in Kannur, Mr. Sudhakaran signalled an allegedly growing disquiet in the Kerala unit of the party about the recent KPCC shake-up.

(Notably, former KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran had suggested in Thrissur on Wednesday that discussions in the party would have been more meaningful if they were conducted before the reorganisation and other leaders could make their stance clear on the matter soon.)

Mr Sudhakaran told reporters that the AICC had, at a stroke, “attempted to remove him from State politics” by co-opting him as a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee (CWC).

He said he had desired to remain as KPCC president. “I did not wish to be removed. The AICC decision caught me unawares. It has caused me acute mental distress”, he said.  

Mr Sudhakaran said the AICC general secretary of Kerala, Deepa Dasmunsi, had sought his removal on health grounds.

“I do not know who gave Ms Dasmunsi the unfounded information I was ailing. I also do not know whether she was acting as some national leader’s puppet. The question of why the powers removed me as KPCC president is relevant to the Congress’ rank-and-file,” he added.