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Kerala CM Race: Why Sudheeran's Surprise Return Sparks Congress Buzz

Veteran Congress leader V.M. Sudheeran has unexpectedly returned to active campaigning after years away from electoral politics. His grassroots efforts in the crucial Kazhakootam constituency have sparked speculation about his political ambitions. The 77-year-old leader's clean image and past as a high-command favorite make him a serious contender. This development adds a new dimension to Kerala's Congress leadership race just months before the 2025 Assembly elections.

Key Points: Sudheeran's Campaign Return Fuels Kerala Congress CM Race Talk

  • Four-time MP Sudheeran returns to grassroots campaigning after long political absence
  • Campaign focuses on key Kazhakootam constituency with historical significance
  • Sudheeran known as high-command favorite with clean political image
  • Congress leadership history shows Delhi's word carries weight in Kerala
  • CM race expands beyond Venugopal, Satheesan, and Chennithala contenders
2 min read

Kerala: Four-time MP Sudheeran's entry in poll campaign sparks talk of CM race in Congress

Veteran leader V.M. Sudheeran's grassroots campaign return sparks speculation about Kerala CM race as Congress prepares for 2025 Assembly polls.

"In Congress, names don't always emerge from the list. Sometimes, they emerge from silence. - Party Source"

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 27

Even as Karnataka's ruling Congress struggles to contain its power tussle over the Chief Minister's chair, the grand old party's Kerala unit is showing signs of slipping into a similar political churn months ahead of the April/May 2025 Assembly polls.

What was until recently considered a three-way scramble for the top post has now widened, with a fourth - and unexpected - name surfacing, that of veteran leader V.M. Sudheeran.

The 77-year-old former KPCC president, known for his clean image, long legislative record and moral authority within the party, appears to be quietly returning to the spotlight.

His recent foray into grassroots campaigning in the upcoming local body polls, particularly in and around the Congress-sensitive Kazhakootam Assembly segment, has added a new twist to Kerala's political narrative.

Sudheeran, a four-term MP, thrice-elected MLA (1980–1996), former Speaker, Minister, and Congress state chief till 2017, has not contested any elections since his shock defeat in the 2004 Lok Sabha polls.

His sudden appearance in the campaign circuit has raised eyebrows, especially as Kazhakootam holds symbolic value - it was here that A.K. Antony contested a bye-election after becoming Chief Minister in 1977.

The constituency, once a Congress bastion, has slipped away since M.A. Waheed's hat-trick win in 2011.

A revival attempt by Sudheeran is now being viewed as more than just goodwill politics.

Within Congress circles, buzz is growing that Sudheeran may be positioning himself for a larger role, should the party stage a comeback.

Until now, the perceived contenders for the top post were AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan, and his predecessor Ramesh Chennithala. But Sudheeran's reputation as a "high-command favourite" and his past surprise elevation as KPCC president in 2014, bypassing several active leaders, make this a possibility too serious to ignore.

The Congress leadership's past interventions, including choosing Satheesan over Chennithala as Opposition Leader in 2021 - despite the parliamentary party backing the latter - have shown that Delhi's word carries weight.

As one party source quipped, "In Congress, names don't always emerge from the list. Sometimes, they emerge from silence."

With Sudheeran stepping out of silence, Kerala's CM race suddenly has a new dimension - and a new frontrunner.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Why bring back 77-year-old leaders? Congress should focus on younger leadership. Venugopal and Satheesan have been actively working while Sudheeran was away from politics for years.
A
Ananya R
Kazhakootam is the perfect testing ground! If Sudheeran can revive Congress fortunes there, it proves his political relevance. The Antony parallel is interesting - history might repeat itself!
S
Sarah B
As someone following Kerala politics, this internal competition might actually help Congress. Multiple strong contenders mean the party has options. Better than having no credible leaders at all!
V
Vikram M
Delhi high command interference is the real problem here. Local leaders should decide Kerala's CM, not people sitting in Delhi. This top-down approach has hurt Congress before.
K
Kavya N
Experience matters! Sudheeran has been MP four times, MLA three times, Speaker, Minister... that's impressive political experience. Sometimes old is gold in politics! ✨

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