Appu John Joseph: A New Figure Emerges in Kerala's Political Landscape

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 7 (NationPress) The ascent of sons within the domain of Kerala politics, especially in the Kerala Congress party, is anything but a new phenomenon. The fresh face joining the political scene is Appu John Joseph, the firstborn of the veteran Kerala Congress figure and 10-time legislator P.J. Joseph.

Appu, a professional in the IT sector, is embarking on a journey shaped by his 83-year-old father, who currently heads a faction of the Kerala Congress. This faction exists alongside various other splinter groups that share the same name, each identifiable by its leader.

The notable factions of the Kerala Congress include the one led by P.J. Joseph, Kerala Congress (M), Kerala Congress (J), Kerala Congress (B), and the Democratic Kerala Congress. All these factions are represented in the 140-member Kerala Legislative Assembly.

While the Joseph-led Kerala Congress and Kerala Congress (J) align with the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), factions like Kerala Congress (M), Kerala Congress (B), and the Democratic Kerala Congress are affiliated with the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF).

Since its inception in 1970, the original Kerala Congress has experienced numerous divisions. The party's legendary leader, K.M. Mani, famously stated that the party "splits as it grows and grows as it splits."

Over the decades, many distinguished leaders of the Kerala Congress, including K.M. Mani, K.M. George, R. Balakrishna Pillai, and T.M. Jacob, have passed away. Notably, their offspring have continued their political legacies, securing significant positions in both state and national politics.

Jose K. Mani, the son of K.M. Mani, serves as a Rajya Sabha MP. Francis George, the son of K.M. George, represents Kottayam in the Lok Sabha. K.B. Ganesh Kumar, the son of R. Balakrishna Pillai, and Anup Jacob, the son of T.M. Jacob, both serve as state legislators.

Now, Appu John Joseph is poised to join this illustrious assembly. Currently, he is at the helm of the professional wing of his father’s faction and is anticipated to be inducted into the party's high-power committee, which serves as its apex decision-making body.

Within this five-member committee, Appu is expected to take the place of former state minister T.U. Kuruvilla. Furthermore, speculation is growing that P.J. Joseph, who has long represented the Thodupuzha Assembly seat, may consider stepping down in favor of his son for the upcoming 2026 assembly elections.

As Appu embarks on his political journey, it highlights the persistent legacy of family politics within the Kerala Congress, a tradition that is as enduring as the party's history of splits and reunions.