KPCC Chief VM Sudheeran Steps Down Due to ‘Health Reasons’

But was that the only reason why Sudheeran chose to retire?

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President VM Sudheeran on Friday announced that he’s retiring from his post due to health reasons.

Sudheeran told the media that he was unwell and is quitting for personal reasons. He said that he will be sending a resignation letter to Congress High Command Sonia Gandhi.

Sudheeran's resignation came as news to even senior leaders in the party and many of them heard about it only after TV channels broke the news.

When asked why the decision was taken without informing the high command, as is the practise, Sudheeran said that he was skeptical that the leadership would try to reject his resignation.

I am not the kind of person to be in a post when my health does not allow me to function well.

VM Sudheeran

Sources close to VM Sudheeran maintain that he had injured himself a few days ago and doctors have advised him to take rest. He will, as a result, be unable to take up the responsibilities of the party, sources added.

I am thankful to party cadres and leaders. Party is important, not an Individual. My personal problems should not affect the party. So I am resigning.

VM Sudheeran

Reacting to the resignation, Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala said:

I think the resignation is because of his ill health. He had informed me on Friday morning that he is resigning. He told me that he has also had a word with AK Antony.

“It was a sudden decision, we did not expect that. He had health issues, I am not sure what was his feelings were. Further decisions will be taken by AICC,” K Sudhakaran told The News Minute.

Sudheeran’s Controversy-Ridden Tenure

Sudheeran was appointed as KPCC chief in February 2014, just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

He had a tumultuous tenure as KPCC president with both the Congress (I) and Congress (A) opposing him. One of his first controversies was on insisting that prohibition be implemented in Kerala despite several leaders in the then UDF government being opposed to the move. Sudheeran’s insistence on bringing in prohibition forced then Chief Minister Oomen Chandy to announce the policy.

After the 2016 Assembly election debacle, the (A) group in the Congress had vehemently opposed him. They had told the High Command that if they did not want to act on Sudheeran immediately, they should at least change him as part of organisational restructure.