Speculation on the selection of a new KPCC chief

After a brief hiatus, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) is once again at the center of a speculation frenzy as calls for a full-time KPCC president and adherence to the ‘one person, one post’ principle gather momentum.

While the names of several senior leaders have already started doing the rounds, the AICC general secretary in charge of Kerala, Deepa Dasmunshi, is said to be in Thiruvananthapuram to hold discussions with senior leaders regarding the decision ahead of the party. The incumbent KPCC president, Sunny Joseph, who is now the power minister in VD Satheesan’s cabinet, has already expressed his readiness to vacate the party post, citing the rigors of “dual responsibility”.

Senior officials, including former state presidents Mullappally Ramachandran and K. Muraleedharan, who is now the health minister, have come out in support of the reorganization. The matter is not limited to the post of KPCC president as several top functionaries of the state Congress unit are now ministers. After the summit reshuffle in May 2025, Mr. Joseph took over as the new president of KPCC while Shafi Parambil, PC Vishnunadh and AP Anil Kumar were appointed as working presidents of KPCC. However, after the UDF won the 2026 assembly elections, Mr. Joseph, Mr. Vishnunadh and Mr. Anil Kumar were inducted into Mr. Satheesan’s cabinet as ministers. Another top functionary who is now a minister is Youth Congress president OJ Janeesh.

Incumbent attitude

Speaking to the press, Mr. Sunny Joseph hinted at his preference for a change in leadership, saying he must focus on the state’s power sector, which is going through a tough phase. He pointed out that reorganization was the solution and expressed the hope that the AICC leadership would take a decision on this in due course.

The sentiment was echoed by several top leaders of the state Congress unit who pointed out that a full-time KPCC chief was necessary to effectively counter opposition offensives against the UDF government. Mr. Ramachandran recently said that a full-time president is imperative for the KPCC.

Published – 06 Jul 2026 21:10 IST