With the Bharatiya Janata Party gaining ground among the Christian vote bank in Kerala — traditionally a Congress stronghold — prominent leaders of the Congress party are seriously considering appointing a Christian as the state party president.
This move is seen as a strategy to counter the BJP’s growing outreach to the Christian community.
Christians in Kerala account for approximately 18-19 per cent of the state’s 3.3 crore population.
Historically, the Congress party has had five Christian leaders helm the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), with the last being PP Thankachan in 2004.
Other notable Christian leaders who have held this post include KC Abraham, AK Antony (for two terms), KM Chandy, and AL Jacob.
According to a media critic, the urgency for a leadership change within the Congress arises from the unexpected victory of BJP candidate Suresh Gopi in the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
As per reports, the idea gained traction after a prominent church leader and a Christian Member of Parliament met Sonia Gandhi last month to advocate for the appointment of a Christian KPCC president.
Currently, the Congress party in Kerala has a mix of experienced and emerging Christian leaders who could take up the role.
Among the seasoned veterans are Sunny Joseph and Benny Behanan, while younger leaders like Roji M John and Hibi Eden have also proven their capabilities.
Notably, AK Antony, now 84, was just 33 when he became the KPCC president in 1973, setting a precedent for young leadership in the party.
At present, K Sudhakaran, the Lok Sabha MP from Kannur, is the Congress party chief in Kerala.
Among potential successors, Sunny Joseph, a three-time legislator and close to Sudhakaran, appears to have an edge.
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