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New Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
How Satheesan and Team UDF scripted stunning Nilambur bypoll victory in Kerala
The mood in the state Congress and UDF has been celebratory ever since the comfortable victory in the LDF-held seat of Nilambur. Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, termed Captain by his followers following the stunning victory of the party in the Thrikkakara, Puthupally and Palakkad byelections earlier, is no longer the sole focal point within the alliance, which he himself has realised. Following the UDF's victory in the three seats in 2022, the credit went to Satheesan, as he often called the shots unilaterally. In Puthupally, the open tussle between Satheesan and the then KPCC president K Sudhakaran at a press conference over who would talk first had destroyed the glow of the victory. Organisationally, too, Satheesan was accused of being arrogant to leaders. However, Nilambur has shown that a collective effort was behind the UDF's victory this time round. It was evident in the way Satheesan himself gave credit to 'Team UDF' in his press conference and corrected the media for giving him sole credit. No 'Satheesanism' in Congress What led to the scenario was the strong undercurrents in the Congress and UDF during the campaign, culminating in statements by senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, KPCC president Sunny Joseph and Muslim League supremo Panakkad Sadique Ali Thangal, all of whom cleared the air of confusion, saying that PV Anvar is not a closed chapter. Going one step further, Ramesh declared that there is no 'Satheesanism' in Congress, a term now largely used to denote the opposition leader's unilateral style of functioning. This has come at a crucial time, as the Congress and UDF are gearing up for the 2026 assembly election with many contenders in line for the CM post. "There was criticism among UDF leaders and in the Congress against Satheesan calling the shots unilaterally for some time," a senior Congress leader told The New Indian Express. "Before the poll date, leaders from both the Congress and UDF conveyed to Satheesan that he should be careful while making statements and taking decisions. Satheesan's declaration that Anvar is a closed chapter for the UDF without considering the opinion of senior leaders has not gone well within the UDF. "We were anguished that his controversial response when asked about whether the failure of Aryadan Shoukath to visit former Congress candidate VV Prakash's house would cause a setback. And many youth leaders across group politics also came out against certain MLAs who are part of the opposition leader's inner ring for making reels. The loose talk of Youth Congress president Rahul Mamkootathil, who is close to Satheeshan, and the way in which he intervened in many issues was the last nail in the patience of leaders," he said. The League was upset with Satheesan after he allegedly derailed IUML general secretary PK Kunhalikutty's attempts to reach a settlement with PV Anvar. "When Kunhalikutty was minister, Satheesan was nowhere in the political landscape of Kerala," a senior League leader told The New Indian Express on condition of anonymity. 'Though we are of the opinion that the candidate of a political party should not be determined by people from outside, on a larger political sphere, there were numerous ways to tackle the issue and neutralise the threat. On many occasions, the League and Kunhalikutty have carried out this task for the Congress and UDF," he added. The Priyanka Gandhi factor Aryadan Shoukath's victory against all odds has proved that in Nilambur, the League comes first with Congress in second place. Unlike the last three byelections, in Nilambur several leaders pitched in during various stages of the campaign -- selecting the candidate, keeping it secret till the last moment, setting the campaign agenda and social engineering. It was KPCC working president AP Anil Kumar, who was also in charge of the bypoll, who successfully resolved the candidate issue by taking along DCC president VS Joy and kept the candidate's name a secret till the day Congress announced it. Anil also undertook many tasks, including registering 8,000 new voters and holding around 400 house meetings. He was the brain behind implementing public meetings at each Congress's mandalam committee. However, the election agenda for the byelection was set by AICC organisational general secretary KC Venugopal, who attacked Pinarayi Vijayan, alleging that the CM had defamed Malappuram in an earlier interview. Incidentally, the AICC also wanted a comfortable victory margin as Nilambur falls in Priyanka Gandhi's Wayanad parliament constituency. Venugopal's statement that Anvar's issues would be addressed was made taking into account AICC's decisions. However, the unexpected objection raised by Satheesan came as a surprise to the high command. AICC has taken a decision not to intervene in the state leadership's decisions to avoid a controversy. KC Venugopal's decision not to meet PV Anvar though the latter had requested to meet him in Kozhikode was in sync with this position. UDF's social engineering The Muslim League, which faced criticism at first after family members from the Panakkad family were missing from the UDF convention, went on a firefighting mode with its rank and file taking part in campaigning and door-to-door visits. League president Panakkad Sadique Ali Thangal participated in house meetings at Pothukal panchayat, the native place of CPM candidate. The League ensured that not a single vote would go to the rival side. It was PK Kunhalikutty who intervened whenever the ego clash between Satheesan and Anvar intensified. League leaders PK Basheer, PMA Salam coordinated all the campaign work. It was Basheer who had taken steps to resolve the existing issues with the candidate and League workers. The Nilambur election also witnessed the complete dominance of the UDF in social engineering by taking all community groups with them, a strategy the CPM had previously implemented successfully. When Shoukath's candidature was decided, he was quite unpopular in the constituency. It was Satheesan and KPCC secretary KP Noushad Ali who sorted out these issues by holding marathon meetings with different community groups and organisations. There are three Mujahideen sections in Nilambur. Anvar, being a Mujahideen, has a strong influence in the community. Hence, Satheesan held discussions with Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen, Wisdom and Markus Dava leadership separately. The two leaders also met the new group that emerged from the EK Sunni section, as they have an affiliation with the CPM. The leaders were also successful in taking AP Sunni sections – which are traditionally close to CPM - into confidence. To resolve the issues the merchants in Nilambur had with Shoukath, the opposition leader held discussions with the state general secretary of the powerful Vyapari Vyavasay Ekopana Samithi at its office at Nilambur for almost two hours. Anvar left with less bargaining power Meanwhile, since the BDJS, as part of the NDA, decided not to contest the election, it was UDF convener Adoor Prakash who canvassed for votes from the community in favour of the UDF. KPCC president Sunny Joseph and Roji M John made sure that the Christian community's votes remained intact. Besides youth leaders Chandy Oommen, who had covered 3,000 houses, CR Mahesh, M Liju and Mathew Kuzhlnadan, who were in charge of panchayats, worked hard to coordinate the campaigns. "The outcome of the Nilambur byelection will have an impact on the state Congress in the coming days," said a KPCC leader. Though Satheesan has objected to an association with Anvar, the 19,690 votes he garnered are enough for the UDF to reconsider their earlier stand. However, Anvar himself now knows that he has less bargaining power. He has already declared that he will be contesting the 2026 assembly election from Beypore in Kozhikode against PA Mohammad Riyaz, son-in-law of CM Pinarayi. However, the Congress will have to consider many factors, and hence accommodating him will be a matter of discussion within the Congress and the UDF in the coming days. Interesting times lie ahead.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Stray attacks in Kannur: Min to hold meet today
1 2 3 Kannur: Amid the growing fear and public outcry following stray dog attacks on 80 people in Kannur in the last few days, minister Kadannappally Ramachandran will convene a meeting at the collectorate on Friday to discuss the menace. K Sudhakaran MP, corporation mayor Muslif Madathil, district panchayat president K K Rathnakumari, district collector Arun K Vijayan, city police commissioner P Nithin Raj as well as officials with health and animal husbandry departments, Indian Railways and Kannur Cantonment will attend. Kannur corporation held a special council meeting on Thursday to discuss the issue. The meeting witnessed a heated verbal exchange between the councillors of the ruling front and the opposition. Mayor Madathil said the corporation would set up a dedicated shelter for stray dogs and an animal birth control unit to tackle the issue. An all-party meeting will be convened to finalize the units' location, he said. Meanwhile, a five-year-old boy was admitted to the Pariyaram Govt Medical College Hospital with rabies despite being administered a vaccine. The child is now on ventilator support. The boy was bitten by a stray dog near SN Park at Payyambalam on May 31. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indian Truck Driver Now Earns ₹2.9 Crore Monthly (See how) prestigetrophy Learn More Undo He sustained serious injuries on his face and leg. According to his parents from Tamil Nadu, the boy was rushed to the hospital and given an anti-rabies vaccination. But he developed fever and rabies symptoms before tests confirmed it. 5 students attacked in Idukki Five students of Devikulam Tamil Higher Secondary School were injured in a stray dog attack on Thursday. While they were attacked on their way to school in the morning near its premises, Mahendran, another student, was reportedly bitten on Wednesday evening. The injured were admitted to Adimali taluk hospital.
United News of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Sunny Joseph takes charge as KPCC President
Thiruvananthapuram, May 12 (UNI) Peravoor MLA Advocate Sunny Joseph took charge as new President of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) at a function held at the Congress party headquarters 'Indira Bhavan' here on Monday. Outgoing president and Kannur Lok Sabha member K Sudhakaran formally handed over the charge to Sunny Joseph. Attingal Lok Sabha member Adoor Prakash took charge as Convenor of Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal, Deepa Dasmunshi, AICC general secretary in charge of Kerala, Opposition leader in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan, senior Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala and Kodikunnil Suresh also attended the function. P.C. Vishnunath, AP. Anil Kumar and Shafi Parambil also took charge as KPCC Working Presidents. Sunny Joseph will leave for New Delhi on Tuesday to meet top Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi. UNI DS GNK
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
New leadership of Kerala state Congress to assume office today
T'puram: The newly appointed KPCC president , three working presidents and the new UDF convener will assume office at a function at Indira Bhavan on Monday. All India Congress Committee (AICC) has asked all functionaries to attend the president K Sudhakaran will hand over the charge to successor Sunny Joseph at the function. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
New Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
KPCC president Sudhakaran gains unexpected edge amidst leadership delays
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Operation Sindoor appears to have turned into an unexpected advantage for KPCC president K Sudhakaran, with the announcement of a new party chief facing further delays. With Anto Antony's proposed elevation hitting a roadblock, the Sudhakaran camp has now adopted a cautious wait-and-watch approach. This shift followed Sudhakaran's recent meetings with senior Congress leaders A K Antony and former KPCC president V M Sudheeran. Sources close to the high command said Antony has advised the AICC leadership against rushing into a decision. 'He has advised the high command to take all sections into consideration before taking a decision as the crucial elections are coming,' a senior leader told TNIE. Supporters of Sudhakaran allege that deliberate attempts were made to tarnish the KPCC president's image in the eyes of the high command. 'The reports that Sudhakaran had complained to the high command against AICC general secretary in charge of the state, Deepa Dasmunsi, were part of a conspiracy,' Mathew Kuzhalnadan MLA told TNIE. 'It was factually incorrect. We have high regard for her as she had the history of fighting against the Left terror in West Bengal,' he said. Sudhakaran has since left Thiruvananthapuram, while posters in support of him were spotted in several parts of the city, including near the KPCC office. In a calculated move, he publicly stated that the high command has never informed him of any impending leadership change, a remark that has put the party leadership in a tight spot.
