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The Hindu
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Boy's death in Nilambur: Congress seeks Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's response on Forest Minister's ‘conspiracy' remark
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph has sought Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's response on Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran's remark alleging a 'conspiracy' related to the electrocution of a 15-year-old boy near Nilambur in Malappuram district on June 7. Ananthu, alias Jithu, was electrocuted by an illegal electrical trap meant for wild boars. Addressing the media here on Monday (June 9, 2025), the Congress leader also demanded that the Minister apologise for the statement, which smacked of 'arrogance' and 'rudeness'. He was in Kozhikode to open a protest against the National Highways Authority of India. 'Who, other than the government, is responsible for wild animals entering human habitations? Isn't the Forest Minister responsible for the scenario? Isn't he a failure as a Minister? Who is supposed to take action against the illegal use of electricity? There is no point in engaging in flip-flops now,' Mr. Joseph said. Asked about the criticisms against the protests taken out against the death of the boy by Opposition parties, he said that neither the Congress nor the United Democratic Front need any lessons in propriety from anyone. He criticised the CPI(M) and the Left Democratic Front for engaging in violence, especially on the floor of the Legislative Assembly during the presentation of the State Budget in 2015. 'When Rome burned, emperor Nero fiddled. When Radha, a plantation worker, was being mauled to death by a tiger in Wayanad, Mr. Saseendran was singing and having a nice time in Kozhikode. That shows how serious he is when it comes to wildlife issues,' he added.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Govt. slammed for last-minute scrapping of Friday's Bakrid holiday
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and several Muslim organisations have protested against the government decision to revoke the Bakrid holiday on Friday. The government has shifted the holiday to Saturday as Muslims in the State are celebrating Bakrid on Saturday. IUML State general secretary P.M.A. Salam has demanded that the government declare a separate holiday on Saturday rather than scrapping the previously announced holiday on Friday. Mr. Salam pointed out that Friday would be of significance too, as Muslims celebrating Bakrid on Saturday would be fasting on Friday, making it essential to retain the holiday on both days. IUML district president Syed Abbasali Shihab Thangal and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president A.P. Anil Kumar too demanded that the government change its decision to revoke Friday's holiday. Wisdom Islamic Organisation general secretary T.K. Ashraf too criticised the government move saying that it would put many professionals in difficulty. 'We have been demanding at least three days holidays for two Id celebrations. If not possible, at least having two days off will allow those working in distant districts to travel home, celebrate Id and return to work,' he said. Mr. Ashraf expressed concerns that the government's last-minute decision to revoke the declared holiday on Friday would be seen as disregard for the Muslim community's celebrations, particularly since it is the day of the significant Arafa fast.
The Print
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
In maiden speech as Kerala Congress chief, Sunny Joseph addresses party unit factionalism, urges unity
'In Kerala, people want to end the corrupt Pinarayi government. Coming from Kannur, we know the violence the Communist Party is unleashing in the district. They destroyed the Congress flag and a statue of Mahatma Gandhi. When we organised a meeting to protest against it, the party was also trying to use violence to suppress it,' he said. Assuming charge as the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Chief, Joseph vowed to mobilise party workers in a determined campaign to unseat the 'corrupt' Pinarayi Vijayan-led administration. Thiruvananthapuram: Amid persistent factionalism within the state unit, new Kerala Congress chief Sunny Joseph Monday urged party leaders to set aside their differences and unite under the Congress umbrella to defeat the Pinarayi Vijayan government. Joseph added that Congress could win the upcoming election if it highlighted the 'criminal and corrupt practices' of the current regime. He made the remarks at a function held at the party headquarters, 'Indira Bhavan', in Thiruvananthapuram Monday. Considered one of the strongholds of the Congress in India, the Kerala unit has long been marred by infighting, with leaders split into the 'A' and 'I' factions. The 'I' group, which emerged in the late 1970s, was led by late chief minister K. Karunakaran and later included leaders like Sudhakaran, Leader of Opposition V. D. Satheesan, and Ramesh Chennithala. The 'A' group, led by former defence minister A. K. Antony, included former chief minister Oommen Chandy and outgoing convenor M. M. Hasan. While these leaders continue vying for power and the chief ministership, the party has also seen the re-emergence of national figures such as K. C. Venugopal and Shashi Tharoor, adding another dimension to the internal struggle ahead of the crucial polls. 'We are not doing it alone. We will do it together,' Joseph said, adding that he would welcome criticism and suggestions from party leaders and cadres to improve his work. A three-time MLA representing Peravoor in Kannur district, Joseph is the Kerala Congress's first-ever president from the high ranges of the state—a region dominated by plantations and farmlands. In recent years, the area has faced a rise in human-animal conflicts and growing anger toward the government's inability to address them. His appointment also comes at a time when Kerala's Christian community—once a loyal Congress vote bank—is gradually leaning towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Alongside Joseph, Attingal MP Adoor Prakash was appointed convenor of the party, while Kundara MLA P. C. Vishnunath, Wandoor MLA A. P. Anil Kumar, and Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil were named working presidents. The new leadership takes charge amid a wave of dissatisfaction from party workers over the removal of Sudhakaran, who himself put up a fight to retain his post. The senior leader and Kannur MP met Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi 2 May, sparking speculation over his ousting. However, Sudhakaran refuted these rumours, declaring he would not step down until the Pinarayi government was removed from power. Amid the uncertainty, posters supporting his leadership appeared outside party offices across the state, including at its Thiruvananthapuram headquarters. In response, the central leadership, including K. C. Venugopal, dismissed reports of a leadership overhaul. The announcement of the new KPCC Chief was finally made 8 May, amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions. 'When A. K. Antony was appointed KPCC chief in 1976, I was just a student. That day, after attending one of his events, I walked two miles home, washed my shirt and dhoti, ironed them and wore them to his next event in Payyavoor,' Joseph recalled, speaking of his early years as a lower-middle-class Congress supporter. Speaking at the event, All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary and Alappuzha MP K. C. Venugopal said that while Joseph may be soft-spoken, he possesses ideological strength. 'Our aim is serious. We are witnessing the team take over a serious responsibility to lead the Congress party to victory in this year's local body elections and assembly elections next year,' he said, adding that the only way to achieve that aim was to work together to dethrone a government 'hated even by communists in the state.' 'Congress is everything. Without Congress, we are nothing. Our past experiences have taught us that. So, we have to continue working to strengthen the party,' he added. Venugopal said the national leadership recognised Sudhakaran's contributions over the past four years and had appointed him a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee (CWC). Presiding over the event, Sudhakaran also emphasised party unity. He said that under his leadership, the Congress performed well in all elections, including the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. While the party failed to win the Chelakkara seat in the recent bypoll, he noted that it had significantly reduced the Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s lead in its bastion—from 40,000 to 13,000. 'Congress was a party that was tired of group war. We haven't seen it any time recently. It's because of our unity. And I thank you all for supporting it. You are my support. It doesn't matter if I have stepped down as president. I will be with all of you for all the activities. We have to win, we have to rule and show the Congress's strength in power, and I will always be there for all of it,' he said. He added that over the past four years, he had steered the party toward a semi-cadre structure by strengthening its organisational base, noting that there had been no major protocol violations by party cadres. 'Creating CUC was my dream project. But we couldn't complete it. Sunny, we should complete it at any cost,' he said. Sudhakaran's pet project, the Congress Unit Committees (CUC), were conceived as sub-booth level grassroots bodies to ensure tighter coordination. Although thousands of CUCs were formed following the 2021 announcement, many became inactive by 2023, stalling the initiative. (Edited by Radifah Kabir) Also Read: Who is Sunny Joseph & why Congress picked him as K Sudhakaran's replacement for post of Kerala chief
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Business Standard
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Ex-defence minister AK Antony backs armed forces' action against Pakistan
Congress stalwart A K Antony on Saturday said he fully backs the steps taken by the Indian armed forces in the ongoing conflict with Pakistan. Speaking to reporters here, the former Union Defence Minister said the central government has left it to the Armed forces to take appropriate action and he fully supports them. "Beyond that, I have nothing more to say. I am not going to sit and discuss the action they are taking," he said. Tensions between the two neighbours soared significantly after the Indian armed forces on Wednesday conducted precision strikes, under Operation Sindoor, targeting terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that had cross-border linkages. Antony said that families in Kerala of soldiers who are deployed in the border areas should be supported and comforted by the government and the local residents. The Congress leader also welcomed the recent reshuffle in the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) leadership and said one of its main features this time was that while a senior leader was at the forefront, younger members in the party have been given more responsibilities by the high command. Antony said that this indicates the faith and appreciation the party high command has for the leadership of the younger members. Let the younger members rise and grow and justify the faith reposed in them by the party, he said. Ending weeks of uncertainty over a change of guard in the Congress party in Kerala, the AICC on Thursday went for a complete overhaul of the leadership in the state, by replacing K Sudhakaran MP with three-time MLA Sunny Joseph. The party also appointed three new working presidents for the state-- P C Vishnunadh, A P Anil Kumar and Shafi Parambil, while Adoor Prakash was named as the new convenor of the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) in place of M M Hassan. Antony said that he told Vishnunadh, that youngsters in Kerala are getting distanced from politics and therefore, he should work to attract them towards the politics of Congress and thereby, strengthen the party for the upcoming local body elections this year and the state assembly polls in 2026. Vishnunadh, who was also present there, told reporters that everyone will work together to ensure the party is strengthened and it wins the coming elections.
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
AICC eyes Christian face for Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee
KOTTAYAM: As moves for a change of guard at the helm of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) gather pace, all talk is now centred around naming a person from the Christian community to the position. Even as Pathanamthitta MP and former Kottayam DCC president Anto Antony has emerged as a strong contender, the AICC leadership has reserved its decision, at least for the time being, as a consensus remains elusive. In addition to Anto, the names of former Kannur DCC chief and Peravoor MLA Sunny Joseph, and senior leader and Chalakkudy MP Benny Behnan are actively being considered. The AICC seems keen to take into account the concerns of the Christian community, especially the Catholic Church, over inadequate representation in the party leadership, especially after the era of A K Antony and Oommen Chandy. The Church has aired its concerns on multiple occasions. While Anto has the backing of the AICC leadership, with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra blessings, Sunny is the preferred nominee of the Syro-Malabar Church. The party leadership's stance has not gone down well with the Church. Apart from the fact that its nominee is being overlooked, Anto does enjoy good relations with the Church, say Christian leaders. Meanwhile, there is a strong feeling among senior leaders that both Anto and Sunny will come up short when pitted against CPM's seasoned Pinarayi Vijayan and BJP's new generation leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar, prompting them to back an extended term for K Sudhakaran. Meanwhile, the Church is viewing reports of Anto enjoying the support of Changanassery archbishop Thomas Tharayil as mere propaganda aimed at sidelining its nominee. While trhe Church initially planned to release a statement debunking the rumours, it ultimately decided against it, preferring not to intervene in Congress politics. Anto's links to the Pentecostal Church have also created hesitation among some Church leaders.
