‘Party is greater...’: Congress MP K Sudhakaran refutes plans to contest as Independent from Kannur

New Delhi: Putting an end to the brewing crisis within the Congress, sitting MP K Sudhakaran has refuted rumours of contesting the upcoming Assembly elections as an Independent candidate. A rebellion in his stronghold of Kannur could have triggered a political earthquake in Kerala’s Malabar region, but the veteran leader has now moved to stabilise the party.

Speaking to the media, Sudhakaran dismissed the speculation of an exit, stating: "Why would I leave the party? The party is greater than I am. I will stick with the party; I am not going to contest as an Independent."

His statement brings a massive sigh of relief to the Congress leadership. Previously, sources close to the leader had hinted at a potential split after the party denied him a ticket for the Kannur Assembly seat, strictly adhering to its policy against fielding sitting MPs.
Earlier on Thursday, Sudhakaran reportedly called AICC general secretary K C Venugopal to convey a blunt "goodbye”, telling the leadership, "You go your way, and I will go mine." He is also expected to resign from the Congress Working Committee (CWC). Congress veteran A K Antony also had urged Sudhakaran to follow party line, thereby not creating any crisis for the party and to prevent the LDF from winning a historic third term.

Why the ‘Lion of Kannur’ was roaring at his own party?

The rift centers on the Congress High Command's "one person, one post" policy and its strict directive barring sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) from contesting the 2026 Assembly elections.

• The broken promise: Sudhakaran claimed he was given a firm assurance by the party leadership that he could contest from the Kannur Assembly seat when he stepped down as the KPCC President in 2025.
• The denial: Despite his insistence, the AICC finalised T O Mohanan (former Kannur Mayor) as the official UDF candidate for Kannur, effectively shutting the door on Sudhakaran’s return to state-level politics.

• Ambition Vs discipline: While the party feared a string of Lok Sabha by-elections if MPs are allowed to jump into the Assembly fray, Sudhakaran’s camp viewed this as a deliberate attempt by state rivals to sideline the veteran leader and thwart his potential claim for the Chief Minister’s post.

The strongman of Malabar

K Sudhakaran has been the face of the Congress’s resistance against the CPM in the volatile political landscape of Kannur for decades. Known for his aggressive style and deep grassroots connection, he has served as a three-time MLA (1996, 2001, 2006) and a three-time MP (2009, 2019, 2024).