Kochi, 13 Feb (H.S):Senior Congress leader and former United Democratic Front (UDF) convener Benny Behanan is being seriously considered for the post of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president as the party weighs a leadership reshuffle ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

According to party sources, the current KPCC president Sunny Joseph is likely to step down from the organisational role as he prepares to contest the Assembly elections from Peravoor. With the election campaign expected to intensify in the coming months, the Congress leadership is keen to separate organisational responsibilities from electoral commitments to ensure smoother coordination across the State.

In this context, Behanan’s name has gained significant traction within the party. Reports indicate that internal discussions regarding leadership changes are already under way, with several senior leaders backing Behanan as a consensus candidate capable of strengthening the party machinery.

A veteran leader known for his organisational skills and grassroots connect, Behanan has held multiple key positions within the Congress and the UDF. Party insiders believe his administrative experience and ability to maintain working relationships across factions make him well suited to lead the State unit during a crucial election year.

The proposed leadership change is seen as part of a broader strategy by the Congress high command to energise the organisation, improve booth-level coordination, and streamline campaign planning. With the party determined to mount a strong challenge in the Assembly polls, strengthening the State leadership has become a top priority.

Sources suggest that the Congress wants a full-time president who can focus exclusively on organisational matters, candidate coordination, alliance management, and voter outreach. Behanan’s track record as a troubleshooter and his acceptability among various party groups are said to have weighed heavily in his favour.

While no official announcement has been made yet, discussions are progressing rapidly, and a decision is expected soon. If appointed, Behanan would take charge at a critical juncture, tasked with unifying the party ranks and spearheading preparations for one of the most important elections in recent years.

The coming days are likely to be crucial as the Congress finalises its leadership strategy for the Kerala unit.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman