K. Sudhakaran's Political Shift: What Lies Ahead for the Veteran Congress Leader?
Major Political Shift in Kerala
New Delhi: In a significant turn of events ahead of the Kerala Legislative Assembly elections, seasoned Congress politician and Kannur MP K. Sudhakaran is poised to leave the Indian National Congress. His attempts to secure a candidacy for the upcoming Assembly elections have not received any acknowledgment from the party's national leadership.
Sudhakaran previously served as the president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee until last year and is a member of the Congress Working Committee.
Reports suggest that discussions regarding his political future extended into the early hours of Thursday, but no resolution was reached.
He is set to hold a press conference in Delhi, where he is likely to announce his future plans.
In a clear indication of his impending departure, the 77-year-old leader reportedly reached out to several senior party members on Thursday morning to say his goodbyes.
He has expressed intentions to pursue an independent political journey, with hints that he may establish a new political party.
Additionally, he is contemplating running as an Independent candidate for the Kannur Assembly seat.
Sudhakaran is regarded as one of the most prominent Congress figures in Kerala and a key player in Kannur's political landscape.
Renowned for his confrontational approach, he has consistently been a vocal critic of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the local Communist Party of India (Marxist) unit.
His political journey spans several decades, including four terms as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.
In 2009, he contested the Lok Sabha elections from Kannur, achieving victory.
Despite facing a setback in 2014, Sudhakaran made a comeback by winning the seat in 2019 and successfully retaining it in 2024.
His potential departure poses a significant challenge for the Congress party in Kerala, especially in the politically charged Kannur area, and could complicate the already intense electoral landscape.