Till the 1980s, the party was full of prominent Dalit leaders, but factionalism ruined everything. Now finding candidates for 16 reserved seats has also become a big challenge.
Kochi: The preparations for the assembly elections to be held in Kerala in May next year have intensified, but the Congress party is stuck in a strange difficulty. The party is struggling to find its Dalit and tribal candidates just before the elections. This turmoil has exposed a bitter truth that the party has failed miserably in preparing and promoting new leaders from the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. The result is that the party is feeling very weak on the 16 reserved seats (14 SC and 2 ST) of the state.
A golden past, which is now only in memories
This difference between the past and the present is very clear. By the mid-1980s, the Congress had no dearth of stalwart leaders from backward communities. Names like Vella Echaran Iyani, M. P. Thami, K. K. Balakrishnan, K. Raghavan Master, Damodaran Kalassery, P. K. Velayudhan, K. K. Madhavan, T. K. C. Vaduthala, Kittappa Narayana Swamy and Dr. M. A. Kuttappan not only gave the party legislative strength but also had a strong grassroots hold. These leaders were not just candidates but mass leaders who were deeply respected in the society.
Factionalism ruined the party
But as factionalism within the party deepened in the late 1980s and 90s, Dalit and tribal representation shrunk. Political analyst Dizo Kappan says, “The main reason for the failure to promote SC/ST leaders in the Congress was the never-ending infighting between the ‘A’ and ‘I’ groups. This factionalism prevented the emergence of new leaders and created a vacuum that has not been filled till date.”
Dependence on old faces a problem
This vacuum has become a major challenge for the party today. For decades, the party’s leadership has depended on a handful of “safe” names, most prominent among them being Kodikunnil Suresh and Pandalam Sudhakaran. Kodikunnil, who was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1989, is still an MP, while Sudhakaran has been active in politics since his first election in 1982. Critics believe that these two leaders have effectively closed the doors for younger leaders.
Ramesh Mathew, a former journalist and longtime Congress watcher, says, “The Congress is unable to think of any new names other than Kodikunnil and Sudhakaran. After some issues surfaced regarding Remya Haridas, the party can only blame itself for this situation.”
It is clear that the party’s bench strength is worryingly weak. The party has no ready options for the 16 reserved seats. On the other hand, the CPM and the BJP are apparently trying to groom Dalit and tribal candidates, which has increased the Congress’s worries even more.
Leadership admits mistake, promises change
A senior Congress source acknowledged the crisis, but insisted that change is coming. “The AICC now wants fresh faces from the fishermen, SC and ST communities, not old and tired faces like Kodikunnil and [T.N.] Prathapan. We have identified some promising new faces, and 2026 will see a clear generational change,” he said.
According to sources, Sajithamol, the widow of Pathanamthitta District Congress Committee (DCC) vice-president and district panchayat member M.G. Kannan, who died in May this year at the age of 42, could be one of the Congress’ choices from the backward community for the Assembly election.
Return to power at stake
In the 140-member Assembly, these 16 reserved seats could prove to be decisive. Losing ground on this front could mean a dash to the Congress’ hopes of returning to power. Kottayam’s P.R. Leaders like Sona – who is educated, holds a doctorate degree and is active in social work – represent the kind of profile the party should have cultivated years ago. Instead, sources say, the neglect of Dalit leadership at the grassroots has left the Congress today scrambling across the state for credible candidates at the last minute.
It is ironic that a party that once produced stalwarts like K.K. Balakrishnan – who held several ministerial portfolios, including Harijan Welfare and Transport – and a staunch Ambedkarite like Dr. Kuttappan, who reached the Assembly despite factional sabotage, is today struggling to find even a few well-known Dalit leaders.
As the countdown to the elections begins, the Congress is realising that the mistake of ignoring and sidelining its Dalit and tribal leaders for decades cannot be undone by a mere search for candidates. The past is fast catching up with them – and the party may pay a heavy price for it.
Rajan Chaudhary
Courtesy : Hindi News