The Congress party has appointed senior leader Ramesh Chennithala as chairman and Shashi Tharoor as co-chair of its election campaign committee in Kerala. This step aims to demonstrate unity and attract urban youth voters ahead of the state polls. The party is preparing to challenge the ruling LDF and the rising BJP.
The Congress party has appointed senior leader Ramesh Chennithala as chairman and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor as co-chair of the election campaign committee in Kerala to project a united front ahead of the state assembly polls. After spending a decade in opposition, the Congress and the United Democratic Front (UDF) it leads face the ruling LDF, which seeks a third term under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and a rising BJP.
Chennithala, aged 69, brings extensive experience from roles including KPCC chief, MLA, Leader of Opposition, MP, and Union minister. He maintains strong ties with community groups like the Nair Service Society (NSS). Along with current Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, he is a contender for the chief minister's post if the UDF wins power.
Tharoor, a Congress Working Committee member and former Union minister, recently met AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi in Delhi. He stated that all issues have been resolved and the party is aligned. His recent Lok Sabha speech criticizing the Union government signals his increasing role. Surveys show Tharoor's popularity, especially among urban and young voters, and he is often listed as a potential CM candidate. The party aims to leverage his appeal to draw voters from the CPI(M) and BJP.
Other committee members include Vadakara MP and former Youth Congress chief Shafi Parambil as the Muslim representative, Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden from the Latin Catholic community, Muvattupuzha MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan for policy expertise, and women representatives Deepthy Mary Varghese and former MP Ramya Haridas.
The manifesto committee will be headed by Chalakudy MP Benny Behanan, with Kodikunnil Suresh as co-chair. Members include MPs Dean Kuriakose and Jebi Mather. Speculation suggests Behanan may become interim KPCC chief, as current president Sunny Joseph plans to contest from Peravoor.
J Prabhash, former political science professor at Kerala University, said: "Through Shashi Tharoor, the party hopes to attract voters who like him in Kerala. It shows that the party wants to field a united face and avoid any talk of a factional feud before elections."
