Youth Congress leader Abin Varkey, who is one of the first Congress MLAs, defeated Health Minister Veena George in Aranmula Assembly constituency. | Photo credit: LEJU KAMAL
A bevy of young Congress leaders who are first-time legislators are eager to launch their electoral politics in Kerala, even as the party’s elders struggle to pick a chief ministerial candidate.
About 30 young Congress workers won in the recent assembly elections. This accounts for almost half of the seats won by the party and the elected MLAs include leaders of the Kerala Students’ Union and the Youth Congress. Some of them became giant killers who defeated ministers and veterans.
While Youth Congress leader Abin Varkey defeated Health Minister Veena George, MM Naseer defeated Animal Husbandry Minister J Chinchurani and Vidya Balakrishnan defeated Forest Minister AK Saseendran. VS Joy defeated former minister KT Jaleel and Sudheer Sha Palode stopped DK Murali. Youth Congress state president OJ Janeesh won the Kodungalloor seat. AD Thomas, a 30-year-old Congress worker from Alappuzha, will be a baby in the upcoming assembly.
While the average age of Congress leaders in the state was around 65, the new leadership was found to be at least 20 years younger.
“Though the Congress fielded many youths in 2021 as well, it was this time that the largest number of youngsters won,” observes K. Babu, six-time MLA from Thripunithura, who quit electoral politics a few months ago.
“Organizational preparedness, favorable political climate, indignation against the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, consolidation of minority votes and support of the majority community have done magic. The youth party will survive for at least another 15 years,” he hoped.
The infusion of fresh blood, MP Benny Behanan says, into the organization was the result of a decision by the party’s central leadership. According to him, the representation of youth and women was ensured on the candidate lists.
Mr Behanan, who has been in electoral politics for almost 45 years, noted that the average age of new leaders was around 45. It is the first time in recent years that the party and the Assembly have seen an increase in the number of women and youth leaders, he said. Young leaders easily connect with the youth. They also represent the aspirations and hopes of a new generation of voters, he noted.
Mr. Thomas opined that the surgical strike by the Congress to field maximum number of youth and student activists has paid rich dividends. Young candidates connected well with Gen Z and young voters and won a popular mandate, he added.
Incidentally, party sources said it may take some time to select a chief ministerial candidate from among the applicants – All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary KC Venugopal, Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala.
Published – 10 May 2026 19:15 IST
