Total Overhaul Needed for Congress Kerala: Veteran Kurien
Click to start listening
Synopsis
P. J. Kurien, a senior Congress leader, emphasizes the urgent need for a complete overhaul of the Kerala Congress unit amid discussions for a new leader to replace K. Sudhakaran. He suggests that the party's high command should make critical decisions regarding leadership changes.
Key Takeaways
- P. J. Kurien calls for a total revamp of Congress Kerala.
- Discussions are ongoing regarding K. Sudhakaran's potential replacement.
- The Kerala unit has many capable leaders.
- Kurien has faced issues with current party leadership.
- Maramon Convention plays a significant role in politics.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 24 (NationPress) Amid ongoing discussions to identify a suitable successor for the Congress state unit Chief K. Sudhakaran, esteemed party figure and former Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha P. J. Kurien has called for a comprehensive overhaul of the historic party in this region.
"It is essential that the Congress party in Kerala undergo a complete transformation. The party's high command should make the decision regarding Sudhakaran's potential replacement," he stated.
Kurien emphasized that the Kerala unit of Congress boasts numerous leaders who are well-equipped to assume the role of chief.
At 83 years of age, Kurien has largely remained in his hometown of Pathanamthitta district.
Following the conclusion of his term in 2018, Kurien had anticipated another opportunity, but the Congress hierarchy in Kerala opted to provide opportunities for new leadership, given his extensive tenure in Delhi as a member of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
Since then, he has experienced strained relations with current party leaders, including Sudhakaran, Leader of Opposition V. D. Satheesan, and former opposition leader and senior legislator Ramesh Chennithala.
As discussions regarding leadership changes unfold, Kurien faced scrutiny over claims that he influenced the exclusion of Satheesan from the invitee list for the prominent Christian gathering – Maramon Convention – held annually in February along the banks of the Pamba River in Kurien's hometown of Thiruvalla.
Addressing the situation, Kurien clarified: "Although I belong to the Syrian Mar Thoma Church (the host of the convention) and maintain excellent relations with church officials, I did not partake in the selection of invitees, as this is managed by the event organizers. What I learned is that the situation arose from a communication breakdown, as informed by the church's supreme authority."
Over the years, the convention has evolved into a significant platform for politicians, particularly those from the Congress-led UDF, especially as elections draw near.
The local body elections are slated for later this year, followed by the Assembly elections in 2026.
