Congress MLA Sunny Joseph (centre) takes charge as KPCC president from K. Sudhakaran (right) during a function in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday (May 12, 2025)
| Photo Credit: Nirmal Harindran
Three-time MLA Sunny Joseph, who took charge as president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) here on Monday (May 12, 2025), said his focus will be on a united effort as the party prepares for two crucial elections in 2025 and 2026.
Mr. Joseph said the Congress and the United Democratic Front (UDF) will emerge victorious in the local body polls scheduled to be held later this year (2025) and the crucial State Assembly elections in 2026.
Congress MLA Sunny Joseph (centre) takes charge as KPCC president from K. Sudhakaran (right) during a function in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday (May 12, 2025)
| Photo Credit:
Nirmal Harindran
“We are not alone, we will fight together,” he said.
Mr. Joseph and Adoor Prakash MP took charge, respectively, as KPCC president and UDF convener, while Shafi Parambil MP and MLAs P.C. Vishnunadh and A.P. Anil Kumar took charge as KPCC working presidents.
Senior Congress leaders were among those present to witness the change of guard at a function held at the KPCC State headquarters here.
Mr. Joseph, who succeeded K. Sudhakaran as chief of the Congress’ State unit, said the newly-appointed working presidents of the party will be “hard-working presidents.”
“People in Kerala wish to end the misrule of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government,” said Mr. Joseph, who represents Peravoor in the State Assembly.
Mr. Prakash, who succeeds M.M. Hassan as the UDF convener, said his focus would be on bringing everyone in the UDF together for the 2025 and 2026 elections.
The changes at the top have come as the Congress and the UDF finetune their strategies for the elections.
Inaugurating the function, AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal underscored the need for the Congress to work as a team for scripting victories in the local body elections and the Assembly elections. “Team work is paramount,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the new team, he said the party would undertake disciplined work in the next few days to ensure that the next government in Kerala is led by the Congress-led UDF, said Mr. Venugopal.
Foundation strengthened: Sudhakaran
Outgoing KPCC president K. Sudhakaran who presided, said he will continue to work in the forefront of the party activities.
Mr. Sudhakaran stated that he can say with confidence that the party’s foundation was strengthened under his four-year watch. “The Congress was able to present a united front sans groupism and made significant gains in the local body polls during this period,” he said.
Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan said the party would stand united and ensure that the UDF would return to power in the State “with more than a 100 seats.”
Senior party leaders, including AICC general secretary Deepa Dasmunsi, Ramesh Chennithala, K.C. Joseph, Kodikkunnil Suresh, K. Muraleedharan, outgoing UDF convener M.M. Hassan, V.M. Sudheeran were among those present.
Published – May 12, 2025 01:52 pm IST