Can K. Sudhakaran remain Congress’ Kerala unit president until next Assembly election?

The Congress doesn’t treat its presidents well.

These politicians, who head the state units of the grand old Indian political party, are of worth only so long as they keep uttering ‘as per the wishes of the High Command’ in every other sentence. The moment they are seen as being popular in their own right, they are shown the exit door.

Still, K. Sudhakaran, the Congress party president in Kerala, always gave the impression that he was the ultimate party man, while at the same time, doing things his way. He managed those contradictions well. And even if he mellowed down slightly since taking charge of the Kerala unit in 2021, it still felt this had to do with age and ailments rather than him being politically correct.

Because Sudhakaran has never believed in political correctness. Of having to say things that will lead to the least degree of friction within the Congress. Nope, Sudhakaran is shredding correctness in any form. And that’s what made has made him unique and a standout politician from Kannur, where he keeps winning the Parliament seat despite the heaviest odds. At the very least, his voters in Kannur like the way he says it — and they are not likely to change that.

Then, why would the Congress seek to replace Sudhakaran as party president in Kerala?

Just when it seemed that better sense is prevailing in the party comes frequent reports about the High Command considering worthy candidates to take over from Sudhakaran. Again and again, there is talk about him being a shadow of his former strong self, and that the party is actually doing him a favour by not putting through another electoral test.

Somehow, when it comes to Congress party actions, one doesn’t feel that it’s being done because of any extreme goodwill concerning Sudhakaran’s health. Instead, as always, petty politics seem to be at the heart of this latest move.

Sudhakaran has been in this position multiple times since he assumed the president’s role in 2021. And each time he has somehow managed to ward off those insidious moves to oust him. But with the Kerala Assembly election due before May 2026, can Sudhakaran overcome another bid?

Names of likely replacements are being bandied about in the media, but no one seems to be an inspired choice. For the best shot at regaining power, the Congress heading into the Kerala elections of 2026 needs V.D Satheesan, who leads the UDF bloc in the Assembly, and Sudhakaran at the helm. Changing one now will be hugely detrimental. Not when the chances of the Kerala BJP picking up a few seats are gaining some traction.

If the UDF wins ‘Mission 2026’, it will be because the Congress bettered its performance in the north and central parts of Kerala, because it will be in the south that it will face the biggest issues with a resurgent BJP and a resilient LDF.

K. Sudhakaran is one of the Congress’ old guard. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he is someone who has never lost his relevance. Never. That takes some doing in the internal politics of Kerala.

All the more reason why the Congress should give this ‘Kerala Lion’ his due.