The Kerala Congress party has a crucial leadership issue: Should K. Sudhakaran stay on as state president until the 2026 Assembly elections, or will a change hurt the party’s chances?
Arguments for Keeping Sudhakaran
1. Continuity Before Elections
Sudhakaran has been at the helm of the party since 2021, and replacing him just a year ahead of polls (due May 2026) may lead to instability.
The Congress-led UDF requires a united front against the incumbent LDF and resurgent BJP.
2. No Clear Replacement Yet
Alternatives such as VD Satheesan (Leader of the Opposition) or Ramesh Chennithala have factional overhang.
Sudhakaran, controversy aside, has mass base strength in north Kerala.
3. Not Initiating Factional Fights
Kerala Congress is used to factionalism (A vs. I groups). Leadership change at this point may encourage backstabbing.
Perils of retaining him
Allegations of Corruption: Sudhakaran is involved in a spurious antiquities case, which the BJP/LDF would be able to weaponize.
Checkered Electoral Record: Congress, under him, lost the 2023 local body polls but did relatively well in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections (won 18/20 seats).
Flak Over Leadership Style: Some insiders claim that he does not have strategic vision in comparison to predecessors such as Oommen Chandy.
What’s Likely to Happen?
The Congress high command (Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi) would rather have status quo unless Sudhakaran is legally disqualified.
If the UDF performs poorly in 2025 local polls, then pressure for a change would increase.
Final Verdict
Replacing Sudhakaran now poses chaos risks, but retaining him has electoral risks. Congress needs to weigh whether stability or a new face is worth more before 2026.
