Thiruvananthapuram, March 18 (NationPress) As the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections draw near, rumors regarding the Congress party potentially nominating seasoned leaders have sparked a tepid response from its members.

Recently, names such as Congress veterans Mullapally Ramachandran, V.M. Sudheeran, and former Speaker Sakthan Nadar have emerged in discussions. Ramachandran, aged 80, along with the other two, both nearing 75, have been largely absent from active politics for a significant period.

Ramachandran, who once held the Vadakara seat in Kozhikode district, opted out of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, Sudheeran has not participated in electoral politics since his defeat in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, and Nadar has remained largely out of the spotlight since he lost in the 2016 Assembly elections.

A political analyst criticized the Congress for depending on its established figures while neglecting to cultivate new leadership. "In contrast to the Left parties, which prioritize younger candidates and enforce clear term limits, the Congress is experiencing a leadership crisis among those aged 50 to 70," the analyst remarked.

For over four decades, the Congress in Kerala has been dominated by senior figures like K. Karunakaran, A.K. Antony, Oommen Chandy, and to some degree Ramesh Chennithala. These leaders, focused on preserving their factions, did little to promote a new generation of leaders, resulting in the current leadership gap. The resurgence of veteran names, according to some, indicates the presence of vested interests within the party.

On a positive note, the Congress high command has reportedly issued a firm warning to state leaders regarding discipline and has established a special team to oversee media relations as the elections approach.

Amid ongoing internal strife, there are also rumors about whether Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi will intervene to manage the feuding factions in Kerala and assume a leadership position ahead of the critical 2026 Assembly elections.