Mullappally Ramachandran urges Congress leadership to expedite KPCC reshuffle

Mullappally Ramachandran | Photo Credit: K. RAGESH Amid the Congress high command’s delay in appointing a new president to the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), with several leaders lobbying for the post, veteran Congress leader Mullappally Ramachandran has criticised the party leadership for failing to name a full-time president.Mr. Ramachandran, a former KPCC president, said the party organisation in the State had remained “inactive” for the past three months.He said the KPCC needed a full-time president and not an ad hoc arrangement. His remarks come more than three months after Sunny Joseph, the current KPCC president, was inducted into the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government as a Minister.“The Congress in Kerala has remained inactive for the past three months. A KPCC president should be appointed immediately,” Mr. Ramachandran said.‘One man, one post’He also favoured adherence to the “one man, one post” principle, stating it would be better to ensure that a person did not hold multiple positions as far as possible.“There are many capable people in the party. They should be given an opportunity,” he said.The Congress-led UDF government has completed 100 days in office. Mr. Ramachandran expressed hope that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) would take the issue seriously. He also said AICC general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal would have to take the decision on the appointment.Congress leaders had urged the party high command to appoint a full-time KPCC president soon after the V.D. Satheesan-led government assumed office, following Mr. Joseph’s induction into the Ministry. However, the high command is yet to take a final decision. The delay has also stalled the party reorganisation in the State as two KPCC working presidents have gone on to become Ministers in the new government.Possible contendersSeveral rounds of discussions have been held and the names of several leaders have emerged as possible contenders for the post. The names reportedly include MPs and other elected representatives.Mr. Joseph continues to hold the KPCC president’s post despite his induction into the Ministry.He had reportedly conveyed to the party leadership his willingness to relinquish the organisational position.Mr. Ramachandran said the question of a lack of coordination between the Congress-led government and the party organisation was "not relevant" in the absence of a full-time KPCC president.His remarks on “one man, one post” assume significance amid the ongoing discussions within the Congress over the next KPCC president. The comments could also be seen as an argument against allowing an MP or another senior leader holding a significant elected position to simultaneously head the State party unit. Published - August 28, 2026 03:44 pm IST