Congress Leadership Tussle: Internal Power Struggle Intensifies in 2026 The Kerala Congress party is engulfed in a fierce internal battle over the selection of a candidate for the Chief Minister post ahead of the 2026 state assembly elections. Senior leaders, including K. Sudhakaran, KC Venugopal, and Ramesh Chennithala, are locked in a high-stakes rivalry, with tensions escalating as the election date approaches. The conflict, described as a "cyber war" among factions, has drawn sharp criticism from party elders who warn against public factionalism before the results are announced. Sudhakaran, who initially supported Ramesh Chennithala for the post, recently shifted his stance, publicly endorsing KC Venugopal. This move has intensified the rivalry, with Venugopal’s allies, including A.P. Anil Kumar, seeking support from Muslim League leaders to bolster his candidacy. While the party leadership has denied any external influence, the visit by Anil Kumar to Panakad to meet Muslim League figures has raised questions about the extent of factional maneuvering. Venugopal has also emphasized the need for the party to maintain a unified front, stating that decisions on leadership should be made through internal channels rather than public debates. However, Chennithala and his supporters have rejected this approach, arguing that senior leaders should express their views openly. The party’s national president, Sunny Joseph, has called for restraint, warning that premature public disputes could undermine the party’s credibility. The rivalry has spilled into social media, with prominent candidates like V.S. Shivakumar, Roji M. John, and Madhu Puzhakulam openly supporting Venugopal.#k_sudhakaran #ramesh_chennithala #sunny_joseph #kerala_congress_party #kc_venugopal
Congress Picks Key Vid Leaders for Party Overhaul in Maharashtra The Congress party launched a statewide organisational overhaul in Maharashtra on Wednesday, appointing 37 central observers and senior leaders to spearhead a campaign aimed at rebuilding its grassroots structure ahead of key political challenges. The initiative, termed the “Organisation Creation Campaign,” was directed by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who tasked a mix of central observers and state leaders with executing the exercise across districts. The appointments were recommended by state president Harshwardhan Sapkal and state in-charge Ramesh Chennithala. Notable figures such as Balasaheb Thorat, Nana Patole, Satej Patil, Manikrao Thakre, Naseem Khan, Amit Deshmukh, Yashomati Thakur, and Nitin Raut were entrusted with key responsibilities, alongside former ministers, MPs, MLAs, and senior office-bearers. Many from Vidarbha were included in the list of campaigners. According to party leaders, the observers will travel across districts to engage directly with local office-bearers and grassroots workers, oversee organisational restructuring, and facilitate appointments at various levels. The campaign seeks to ensure that party positions, including district presidents, are filled through a structured and transparent process. The party emphasized that the initiative aims to strengthen its presence from the booth level to the state level, empower dedicated workers, and ensure transparent distribution of responsibilities. It also highlighted a focus on wider participation of women and youth in organisational roles.#congress_party #harshwardhan_sapkal #mallikarjun_kharge #ramesh_chennithala #maharashtra_pradesh_congress_committee
Kerala polls: Buzz over Congress’ CM candidate continues despite leadership’s efforts to rein it in Intra-party speculation about the Congress’ potential Chief Ministerial candidate for Kerala, should the United Democratic Front (UDF) secure victory in the 2026 Assembly elections, remains a focal point of political discourse despite attempts by party leaders to suppress such discussions. Veteran Congress leader P.J. Kurien, a former Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha, recently amplified the debate by publicly endorsing Ramesh Chennithala as the likely choice for the post. Kurien’s remarks, delivered at a UDF election convention in Thiruvalla, Kottayam, sparked renewed speculation about the internal dynamics of the Congress leadership. Kurien asserted that the UDF would win the polls on May 4, the scheduled result day, and directly linked Chennithala’s candidacy to the outcome. “I have no doubt that Mr. Chennithala will be the Chief Minister,” Kurien stated, adding that Chennithala might protest the claim, arguing that the final decision rests with the party’s High Command. His comments were met with mixed reactions, with some media outlets suggesting that senior Congress leaders, including K. Sudhakaran, had quietly supported Chennithala over rival candidates like Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan and All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K.C. Venugopal. Chennithala, however, downplayed Kurien’s assertion, aligning himself with the AICC’s stance that the national High Command, in consultation with the Congress Legislative Party (CLP), would determine the final choice. He emphasized that the party’s primary focus should be on winning the elections, stating, “The Congress and the UDF are marching in lockstep to end Left Democratic Front (LDF) rule.#congress #udf #kottayam #ramesh_chennithala #kerala_polls
Kannur ∙ K. Sudhakaran, a Congress leader, is expected to secure the Kannur parliamentary seat after facing significant pressure from within the party. The high command reportedly softened its stance following intense negotiations, allowing Sudhakaran to contest as a candidate. Earlier, Sudhakaran had announced plans to hold a press conference if he was denied the seat, signaling his determination to challenge the party's decision. The Congress leadership, including senior figures like Ramesh Chennithala and A.K. Antony, reportedly urged Sudhakaran to accept the seat, emphasizing the need for unity amid the party's strategy to ensure maximum representation in the Lok Sabha. However, Sudhakaran's insistence on contesting as an independent candidate created tension, leading to prolonged discussions within the party. The high command's eventual compromise came after extended deliberations, with Sudhakaran's candidacy being approved. Meanwhile, other candidates were also finalized for key constituencies. Former mayor T.O. Mohanan was reportedly chosen for the Kannur seat, while Satish Kachchuparambil was selected for Koonnith. However, some candidates, like Aduvoor Prakash, faced rejections for their preferred constituencies. The party's internal dynamics highlighted the balance between individual ambitions and collective strategy. Congress president Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed the completion of candidate selections, stating that the party would ensure a strong presence in the polls. He also hinted at potential alliances with the CPI(M) to strengthen their position. The finalization of candidates followed intense negotiations, with the party aiming to maximize its electoral prospects while managing internal dissent.#congress #kannur #k_sudhakaran #ramesh_chennithala #a_k_antony
