Keralam MLA Unniyadan says he was hurt over not being considered for ministerial berth

Thomas Unniyadan (File photo) Kerala Congress MLA Thomas Unniyadan on Saturday said he was hurt over not being considered for a ministerial berth despite his long political experience, while asserting that he remained a Kerala Congress member and would continue to stand with the Congress-led United Democratic Front.His remarks came a day after two groups of Kerala Congress workers clashed in Irinjalakuda amid separate programmes organised 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, the police said.Party workers said one faction had organised a felicitation programme for Mr. Unniyadan in Thrissur, while another held a leadership meeting of party leaders in the Irinjalakuda Assembly constituency. The clash took place at the venue of the leadership meeting, the police said.Asked whether he believed he had been sidelined by being denied a ministerial berth, the MLA said his focus was on addressing the issues of people in his constituency and local development.“As an MLA, my focus is to address the issues of the people in my constituency beyond party politics and beyond caste and religious considerations. Along with that, my focus is on local development,” he said.Mr. Unniyadan said he had represented the constituency in 2001, 2006 and 2011 and was elected again in 2026 after a break.He said he had been associated with the Kerala Congress movement for around five decades and had held various positions in its student and youth organisations.Recalling his political career, Mr. Unniyadan said he had played a role in the 2010 merger of two Kerala Congress factions and had undertaken several initiatives for the party.He also referred to his victory in the recent Assembly election, saying he 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, a feeling arose among the public and Kerala Congress members as to why I wasn’t considered for further roles,” he said.Asked whether he was moving closer to the Congress following praise from Congress leader T.N. Prathapan, Mr. Unniyadan said the Congress was like an elder brother to the Kerala Congress within the UDF.“I am a Kerala Congress member; there is no doubt about that. But we all stand with the Congress, which leads the United Democratic Front. Congress is the eldest brother of our front,” he said.Mr. Unniyadan said several people had contacted him following the clash in Irinjalakuda.He dismissed suggestions that the friendship gathering organised by his supporters indicated a split in the party, saying it was a gathering of friends within the Kerala Congress. He said similar friendship gatherings were being organised in several districts and that he would attend programmes in Kollam, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram.Asked directly whether he felt hurt at not being considered for the ministerial post, particularly when younger leaders were given positions, Mr. Unniyadan said, “I mentioned yesterday that I was hurt.” However, he declined to comment on the factors that led to the denial of a ministerial berth.Asked whether there was an understanding within the Kerala Congress that the ministerial post would be rotated after two-and-a-half years between the present minister, Mons Joseph, and himself, Mr. Unniyadan said he was unaware of any such arrangement.“I know nothing about that. No understanding or prior understanding has been made. I don’t know anything further about it,” he said. Party chairman P.J. Joseph on Friday said that an inquiry would be conducted into the clash between supporters in Irinjalakuda.Party leader Mons Joseph was appointed Water Resources Minister, while P.J. Joseph’s son, Apu John Joseph, who made his electoral debut, was appointed Chief Whip after the UDF came to power. Published - September 19, 2026 08:12 pm IST