By Nanditha Subhadra
After enduring nearly a decade in political wilderness, the Congress party’s return to power in Kerala was expected to mark a new chapter of unity and focused governance. However, the party appears yet to fully internalise the costly lessons of its prolonged exile. Barely two months after the Congress-led UDF assumed office following the April 2026 Assembly elections, groupism is back in force, raising serious concerns about the party’s ability to consolidate its hard-won mandate.
Media coverage has highlighted ongoing factional rivalries, with certain disgruntled groups allegedly coordinating with community leaders critical of Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan. These actions are reportedly aimed at undermining the Chief Minister and advancing vested business interests.
Public reports and political analyses indicate that internal power struggles, evident even during the Chief Minister selection process in May 2026, have continued. Rival factions involving senior leaders have remained active, with lobbying and demands for accommodation persisting after government formation.
According to various media accounts, certain groups within the Congress are working in coordination with community leaders who have expressed strong criticism of the Chief Minister. This coordination is said to be driving a wedge in the party and facilitating certain vested business interests. Such developments point to a persistent focus on narrow group agendas rather than unified governance.
The national Congress leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi, has faced questions over its response to these internal issues. Despite the high command’s reported intervention during the initial CM selection to balance factions, the persistence of public discord suggests limited ongoing control over nuisance elements and factional activities.
Political observers note that stronger disciplinary measures from Delhi could help address these challenges. The absence of firm intervention has allowed factionalism to resurface, raising concerns about the party’s organisational strength in a state where it recently returned to power.
Less than two months into the new government’s tenure, these internal tussles have exposed underlying disunity. Media reports from the election period and subsequent government formation already documented deep factional divides involving leaders such as V.D. Satheesan, K.C. Venugopal, and Ramesh Chennithala. The continuation of such dynamics risks diverting attention from policy priorities and eroding public confidence.
For the Congress, the primary challenge remains internal. Addressing groupism and any alleged external influences will be critical to consolidating the mandate and ensuring effective governance. The coming weeks are likely to test the party’s ability to manage these self-inflicted challenges before they impact the UDF government’s performance.
This situation reflects long-standing issues within the Kerala Congress unit, as repeatedly noted in public reports and political commentary. Unity and focus on governance will be essential if the party is to translate its electoral success into stable administration.
