Finally, KPCC gets new leadership

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a perfect balancing act ahead of the election year, AICC president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday revamped the KPCC leadership with Mullappally Ramachandran at its helm. Mullappally will be assisted by three working presidents -- K Sudhakaran, M I Shanawas and Kodikkunnil Suresh. Former KPCC president K Muraleedharan will be the chairman of state campaign committee.

Senior leader Benny Behnan is tipped to be the new UDF convenor but his appointment was not announced on Wednesday as other constituents of the front need to approve his selection. Mullappally's non-partisan image and closeness to AICC top leadership is learnt to have worked in his favour. He had been the AICC's chief election officer under whose monitoring Rahul Gandhi was elected AICC president. Mullappally, who represents Vadakara in Lok Sabha, enjoys a good rapport with the Gandhi family and is a trusted lieutenant of senior leader A K Antony.

The working presidents were selected keeping in mind the group and communal equations. While Shanawas is a strong I group supporter, Kodikkunnil Suresh is an A group loyalist and a dalit. Sudhakaran currently does not have any group affiliations.

The announcement of the new president was delayed for lack of a consensus among the party groups. The post was being held by senior-most vice president M M Hassan since V M Sudheeran stepped down.