Benny Behanan Jumps into Fray to Succeed KPCC President Amid Kerala Power Struggle
KPCC Leadership Crisis: Kerala’s Political Heavyweights Jockey for Position in High-Stakes Game
Kuttippuram, Kerala – The sun had barely risen over the tranquil town of Kuttippuram when I arrived at the Behanan residence, a typical Kerala home with a lush green garden and a bustling courtyard.
Here, Benny Behanan, a seasoned politician and a strong contender for the KPCC president’s post, was hosting a gathering of party loyalists, strategists, and close associates.
Updated: May 11, 2026
KPCC Leadership Crisis: Kerala’s Political Heavyweights Jockey for Position in High-Stakes Game
Kuttippuram, Kerala – The sun had barely risen over the tranquil town of Kuttippuram when I arrived at the Behanan residence, a typical Kerala home with a lush green garden and a bustling courtyard. Here, Benny Behanan, a seasoned politician and a strong contender for the KPCC president’s post, was hosting a gathering of party loyalists, strategists, and close associates. Amidst the steaming morning tea and lively chatter, Behanan’s determination to lead the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) became all too apparent.
As I navigated the narrow streets of Kuttippuram, I caught up with local voters who seemed uncertain about the KPCC’s prospects under a new leadership. We want a strong hand to guide the party through turbulent times, said Aneesh, a local shopkeeper. Benny has the experience, but so do Anto Antony and Kodikunnil Suresh. It’s a tough choice. Their words echoed the sentiments of many, grappling with a party in disarray over its Chief Minister pick.
The drama unfolding in Kerala’s corridors of power began when Pinarayi Vijayan was re-elected as the Chief Minister for a second consecutive term in May last year. Since then, the KPCC has struggled to assert its influence, as Vijayan’s CPI(M) continues to wield significant power in the state. The appointment of a new KPCC president, responsible for reviving the party’s fortunes, has become a pressing concern.
Behind the closed doors of Kuttippuram’s Behanan residence, alliances were forming and rivalries brewing. Insiders revealed that key party leaders like Shafi Parambil were quietly lobbying for the top post, hoping to capitalize on the uncertainty surrounding the Chief Minister’s choice. The KPCC needs a visionary leader who can unite the party and counter CPI(M)’s grip on the state, said a close aide to a party heavyweight, who wished to remain anonymous.
However, not everyone shares the optimism. Critics fear that infighting over the KPCC presidency may distract from the party’s primary objective: forging a strong alliance with the Left Front, a key factor in the state’s complex electoral dynamics. We risk repeating past mistakes if we let our internal squabbles dictate our strategy, warned a concerned observer, citing the 2019 general election debacle, when the Congress failed to make a significant dent in Kerala.
As the KPCC leadership crisis deepens, Kerala’s voters remain uncertain about their party’s future. With the assembly elections scheduled for 2026, the KPCC’s decision on its president will have far-reaching implications for the state’s politics. Will the party choose a seasoned leader like Benny Behanan, who has the experience, or a fresh face like Shafi Parambil, who could inject new energy into the organization? The wait is agonizing for those who long to see the Congress reclaim its lost glory in Kerala.
The KPCC leadership crisis is less about who leads the party than how it will choose to play the complex game of Kerala politics. By weighing the strengths and weaknesses of contenders, the party may inadvertently reveal its deeper vulnerabilities in competing with CPI(M) for power.
This article may be prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) and is reviewed before publication. While we aim for accuracy and timeliness, readers should verify important facts from official or primary sources. If you believe any information is inaccurate or that any content infringes your rights, please contact ainewsbreaking.com for review and appropriate action.
