Leadership Tensions Escalate Ahead of 2026 Assembly Polls, Kerala Congress in Flux
I am content with my contributions, says Sudhakaran adding if the AICC asks him to step down, he would obey as a loyal party worker.
The political drama within the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) intensified on Thursday as internal rifts over leadership and strategy deepened, casting a shadow over the party’s preparations for local body elections later this year and the crucial 2026 Kerala Assembly elections.
At the center of the storm is a brewing conflict between KPCC president K. Sudhakaran and senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, with the All India Congress Committee (AICC) reportedly mulling a major reorganisation of the State unit to address its stagnating fortunes.
On Wednesday, February 26, Sudhakaran publicly addressed speculation about his tenure, stating, “If the AICC asks me to step down, I will obey as a loyal party worker. I have no complaints and am content with my contributions.” His remarks followed weeks of rumors that the party high command is considering a leadership shake-up after the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) failed to capitalise on its strong showing in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where it won 18 of Kerala’s 20 seats. Despite that success, the party has struggled to regain power in the State since losing to the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in 2016 and 2021.
Adding fuel to the fire, Shashi Tharoor, the four-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram, has openly flagged what he calls “the absence of a leader” in Kerala’s Congress. In a recent podcast interview, Tharoor argued that the party must expand beyond its committed voter base to reclaim power, pointing to his own electoral success as evidence of broader appeal. “Even those opposed to Congress vote for me. That’s what we need in 2026,” he said, subtly positioning himself as a potential frontrunner. Tharoor’s comments have irked party loyalists, who see them as a challenge to Sudhakaran and the state leadership.
The tension escalated earlier this month when Tharoor drew flak from within the party for praising the LDF government’s startup initiatives, a rare cross-party nod that critics labeled as disloyalty. Unfazed, Tharoor doubled down, posting a selfie with Union Minister Piyush Goyal on February 24, alongside a caption lauding bipartisan efforts at an investors’ meet in Kerala. “Good to see this,” he wrote, further stoking speculation about his intentions. Some party insiders whisper that Tharoor, a Congress Working Committee member, might be testing the waters for a larger role, or even signaling openness to other options if sidelined.
The AICC, meanwhile, appears caught in a bind. Sources say General Secretary Deepa Dasmunsi recently held talks with state leaders to strategise a overhaul, but no consensus has emerged. Sudhakaran, a veteran known for his grassroots clout, retains support among many MLAs and district units, while Tharoor’s charisma and international stature appeal to younger voters and urban constituencies. A third faction pushes for a fresh face to bridge the divide, with names like Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan and former state president Ramesh Chennithala floating in discussions.
Political analysts see this as a make-or-break moment for Congress in Kerala, where the LDF and BJP are sharpening their own strategies. “The Congress risks a third straight Assembly loss if it doesn’t resolve this infighting,” warned political commentator N.M. Pearson. “Tharoor’s ambition and Sudhakaran’s defiance could either rejuvenate the party or fracture it further.”
Sudhakaran’s willingness to step aside if asked suggests the high command’s next move could be decisive. With the clock ticking toward 2026, the Kerala Congress plot thickens, leaving party faithful and rivals alike watching closely to see who emerges as the face of its future.
