Kannur: Senior Congress leader and former KPCC president K Sudhakaran has publicly diverged from the party high command line, calling for AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal to return to Kerala and lead the state, even as the party has discouraged open discussion on the chief ministerial post.

In a Facebook post, Sudhakaran indicated that Venugopal should move towards leading the state, despite election results yet to be declared. The intervention comes weeks after he had named Ramesh Chennithala as his personal choice for Chief Minister in a television interview. 

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Shift from Chennithala to Venugopal

During the interview, Sudhakaran was asked to choose between VD Satheesan, Chennithala and Venugopal as his preferred Chief Ministerial candidate if the UDF comes to power. He had replied: Ramesh Chennithala.

Within three weeks, however, Sudhakaran altered his position, now expressing hope for a period led by Venugopal. 

What Sudhakaran says about Venugopal

In his post, Sudhakaran underlined Venugopal’s relevance in Kerala despite his national responsibilities as a close aide of Rahul Gandhi. He pointed to the Assembly election campaign period to argue that Venugopal played a key role in energising grassroots workers and instilling confidence among candidates.

He wrote that leadership is defined not by positions but by legacy, adding that Venugopal’s rise from the grassroots enables him to understand party workers better than most. He highlighted Venugopal’s “firm stance during crises” and “humility towards workers”, stating that his ability to stand alongside workers as a co-traveller remains a strength.

Sudhakaran also said there is a strong belief among party workers that Venugopal can lead Kerala by following the path of K Karunakaran, A K Antony and Oommen Chandy.

Not aligned with Satheesan; Kannur friction surfaces

Through statements made before and after the Assembly elections, Sudhakaran has signalled that, irrespective of the final choice, Satheesan should not be given the Chief Minister’s post.

The remarks are also seen in the context of his differences with Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan. He is understood to believe that Satheesan opposed his attempt to contest from Kannur and re-enter state politics.

Supporters of Sudhakaran allege that Satheesan backed the high command’s decision barring sitting MPs from contesting, and that this was aimed at sidelining him. They further claim his opinion was not considered in fielding T O Mohanan as the candidate in Kannur.