Keralam MLA Unniyadan says he was hurt because he was not considered for a ministry post

Thomas Unniyadan (file photo)

Kerala Congress MLA Thomas Unniyadan on Saturday said he was hurt not being considered for a ministerial berth despite his long political experience, while maintaining that he remained a member of the Kerala Congress and would continue to stand behind the Congress-led United Democratic Front.

His remarks came a day after two groups of Kerala Congress workers clashed in Irinjalakuda amid separate programs organized by his supporters and party leaders.

A group claiming to be supporters of Mr. Unniyadan and members of the official faction clashed at Irinjalakuda on Friday afternoon, police said.

Party workers said one faction organized a felicitation program for Mr. Unniyadan in Thrissur, while another organized a meeting of party leaders in Irinjalakuda Assembly constituency. The clash took place at the meeting place of the management, the police said.

Asked if he thought he was sidelined when he was denied a ministry slot, the MLA said he was focused on solving the problems of the people in his constituency and local development.

“As an MLA, I focus on solving the problems of people in my constituency beyond party politics and beyond caste and religious aspects. Along with this, I focus on local development,” he said.

Mr Unniyadan said he represented the constituency in 2001, 2006 and 2011 and was re-elected in 2026 after a gap.

He said he was associated with the Kerala Congress movement for about five decades and held various positions in its student and youth organizations.

Recalling his political career, Mr. Unniyadan said he played a role in the merger of two factions in the Kerala Congress in 2010 and took several initiatives for the party.

He also mentioned his victory in the recent assembly elections, saying that he had defeated the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) candidate in Irinjalakuda by a margin of more than 10,000 votes.

“When all these factors came up, there was a feeling among the public and Kerala Congress members as to why I was not considered for other roles,” he said.

Asked if he was moving closer to the Congress after the praise from Congress leader TN Prathapana, Mr. Unniyadan said the Congress was like an elder brother to the Kerala Congress within the UDF.

“I am a member of the Kerala Congress; there is no doubt about that. But we all stand behind the Congress, which is leading the United Democratic Front. The Congress is the elder brother of our front,” he said.

Mr. Unniyadan said several people contacted him after the Irinjalakuda clash.

He dismissed suggestions that the friendly meeting organized by his supporters indicated a split in the party, saying it was a meeting of friends within the Kerala Congress. He said that similar friendship gatherings are being organized in several districts and he will attend programs in Kollam, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram.

Asked directly if he felt hurt by not being considered for a ministerial post, especially when younger leaders were appointed, Mr Unniyadan said: “I mentioned yesterday that I was hurt.” However, he declined to comment on the factors that led to the rejection of the ministerial berth.

Asked if there was an agreement in the Kerala Congress that the ministerial post would be rotated between him and the current minister Mons Joseph after two-and-a-half years, Mr. Unniyadan said he was not aware of any such arrangement.

“I don’t know anything about it. There was no understanding or prior understanding. I don’t know anything else about it,” he said. Party president PJ Joseph said on Friday that an inquiry would be conducted into the clash between supporters in Irinjalakuda.

Party leader Mons Joseph was appointed Minister of Water Resources, while PJ Joseph’s son, Apu John Joseph, who made his electoral debut, was appointed Chief Whip after the UDF came to power.

Published – 19 Sep 2026 20:12 IST