Tired of Intra-Party Conflicts, Priyanka Gandhi Set to Steer Congress in Kerala Assembly Elections
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Synopsis
As Kerala approaches the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress considers appointing Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to lead its campaign amid internal conflicts. Deepa Dasmunsi advocates for her leadership to unify the party and tackle challenges ahead.
Key Takeaways
- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may lead Congress in Kerala.
- Internal strife within the party is a pressing issue.
- Deepa Dasmunsi proposed her leadership role.
- UDF allies express concerns about factionalism.
- Upcoming elections will test Congress' unity.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 15 (NationPress) With merely a year remaining before Kerala prepares for the 2026 Assembly elections, the Congress leadership is contemplating the appointment of Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to spearhead the party's campaign.
This decision comes in light of increasing dissatisfaction regarding ongoing internal strife within the Congress party's Kerala unit.
The suggestion to designate Priyanka Gandhi has been made by Deepa Dasmunsi, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary responsible for Kerala.
Dasmunsi has proposed that Priyanka take charge of a specialized committee aimed at managing the Assembly election campaign.
During a high-level meeting in Delhi last month, senior Congress officials from Kerala and the party's central leadership discussed the state's internal challenges. Priyanka was actively involved in these discussions, and following the meeting, Dasmunsi held individual talks with partners of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).
A crucial concern highlighted by Dasmunsi to the party's leadership is the discomfort among UDF partners regarding the ongoing power struggles among leading figures in the Kerala Congress. This discord involves K. Sudhakaran, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president and Lok Sabha member, V.D. Satheesan, the Leader of the Opposition, and senior legislator Ramesh Chennithala.
A political analyst remarked that factionalism has long affected the Congress party in the state, while the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) remains cohesive.
"Despite numerous scandals and corruption allegations, the CPI-M, under Pinarayi Vijayan, has upheld public discipline since assuming power in 2016. Conversely, Congress continues to publicly air its internal disagreements, alienating everyday voters. If the party fails to resolve these issues, its chances in the forthcoming elections will diminish," the analyst noted.
The first significant test of Congress' unity after the Delhi meeting will be the by-election in the Nilambur Assembly constituency. This seat was vacated after two-time Left-backed Independent legislator P.V. Anvar resigned post a fallout with Vijayan. Later this year, the party will confront another challenge in the local body elections, leading up to the 2026 Assembly polls.
With mounting pressure to mitigate infighting and present a united front, the Congress leadership is likely to appoint Priyanka Gandhi to lead the election oversight committee, a strategic move aimed at restoring order and enhancing the party's electoral prospects in Kerala.
