Thiruvananthapuram, 08 Nov (H.S.):

A fresh round of political manoeuvring within the Kerala Congress has brought differences among senior leaders into focus, with Chief Minister V D Satheesan reportedly opposing a proposal to appoint Minister A P Anil Kumar as the next Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president.

The Chief Minister is understood to have expressed reservations over the move, viewing it as an attempt by certain factions to advance their political interests rather than strengthen the party organisation. He is particularly concerned that a change in the state Congress leadership could trigger demands for a Cabinet reshuffle barely six months after the government assumed office.

According to party sources, the proposal to elevate Anil Kumar has emerged from circles associated with AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, who is considered one of the minister’s closest political allies. Anil Kumar has reportedly indicated that he would be willing to accept the organisational responsibility if the Congress high command formally approaches him.

However, the proposal has failed to generate consensus among influential leaders, including Satheesan and senior minister Ramesh Chennithala. The differences have brought competing preferences for the KPCC leadership into the open, potentially complicating the party high command’s efforts to arrive at an acceptable decision.

Chennithala is reportedly backing senior Congress leader Joseph Vazhakkan for the position, while Satheesan favours Kodikunnil Suresh if the central leadership decides to entrust the organisation to a Dalit leader.

Sources close to the Chief Minister believe that ministerial ambitions among certain Congress leaders are driving the campaign for a leadership change.

Satheesan is also understood to be confident that the Congress high command will seek his views before making any decision.

The appointment of Sunny Joseph as KPCC president, replacing K Sudhakaran, was similarly finalised following consultations with senior leaders, including Satheesan, who was then Leader of the Opposition.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman