Kerala Congress

For the Congress Party in Kerala, see Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee. For other parties with similar names, see Kerala Congress (disambiguation).

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)

This article may be a rough translation from another language. It may have been generated, in whole or in part, by a computer or by a translator without dual proficiency. Please help to enhance the translation.

* * *

If you have just labeled this article as needing attention, please add
`{{subst:Needtrans|pg=Kerala Congress |language=unknown |comments= }}`` ~~~~`
to the bottom of the WP:PNTCU section on Wikipedia:Pages needing translation into English. (March 2023)

|

This article may be written from a fan's point of view, rather than a neutral point of view. Please clean it up to conform to a higher standard of quality, and to make it neutral in tone. (March 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

(Learn how and when to remove this message)

Indian political party

Political party in India

Kerala Congress
കേരള കോൺഗ്രസ്‌

Abbreviation| KC
Chairman| P. J. Joseph[1]
Lok Sabha Leader| K. Francis George
Founder|

* K. M. George
* R. Balakrishna Pillai
* Mathachan Kuruvinakunnel
* Mannathu Padmanabha Pillai
* Vayala Idiculla

Founded| 9 October 1964; 60 years ago (1964-10-09)[2]
Headquarters| State Committee Office, Near Star Theatre junction, Kottayam, Kerala
Student wing| Kerala Students Congress
Youth wing| Kerala Youth Front
Women's wing| Kerala Vanitha Congress
Labour wing| Kerala Trade Union Congress
Ideology| Liberalism
Political position| Centre
Colours| White and red[3]
ECI Status| State Party
Alliance|

* UDF (1964-1989), (2010-Present)
* INDIA (2023-present)
* Left Democratic Front (Kerala) (1989-2010)

Seats in Lok Sabha|

1 / 543

Seats in Rajya Sabha|

0 / 245

Seats in Kerala Legislative Assembly|

2 / 140

Election symbol

* Politics of India
* Political parties
* Elections

Kerala Congress is an Indian political party founded in Kottayam, Kerala on 9 October 1964, by a block of former Indian National Congress leaders led by K. M. George.[4][5][6] The party is primarily active in central Kerala.[5][7] Initially its main support came from the Syrian Christians and the Nair community of southern Kerala.[8]

The establishment of the Kerala Congress could be traced to the resignation and later death of P. T. Chacko, the Home Minister in the R. Sankar-led Congress ministry (1962–64).[5][6] Fifteen rebel Congress Members of the Legislative Assembly subsequently supported a successful no confidence motion on the Sankar Ministry.[5] K. M. George, R. Balakrishna Pillai and other leaders backed by the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and the Nair Service Society leader Mannathu Padmanabhan, formed the "Kerala Congress" at Kottayam Thirunakkara Ground on 9th October 1964.[4][5][6]

## History

[edit]

Main article: Splits and Mergers of Kerala Congress

Kerala Congress was formed as a breakaway faction from Indian National Congress in 1964, led by K. M. George and R. Balakrishna Pillai.[6] The party won 26 seats in the 1965 Kerala Assembly election.[6]

George and Pillai were arrested and imprisoned during the National Emergency.[6] Kerala Congress joined the C. Achutha Menon-led Kerala ministry in 1975 (R. Balakrishna Pillai and K. M. Mani as ministers).[6] R. Balakrishna Pillai was later replaced by K. M. George (who died in 1976).[6]

R. Balakrishna Pillai formed the Kerala Congress (B) in 1977.[6][5]

K. M. Mani, with the Congress alliance, served as the Home Minister in the later K. Karunakaran and A. K. Antony led ministries (replaced in between by P. J. Joseph).[6]

Kerala Congress (Mani) was formed from Kerala Congress in 1979.[6][5]

## Kerala Congress (P. J. Joseph Era) (1979–2010)

[edit]

Main article: Kerala Congress (Joseph)

However, Splinter fractions of R. Balakrishna Pillai and K. M. Mani merged with parent Kerala Congress led by P. J. Joseph in 1985.

These parties again split in 1987 by K. M. Mani, after the split in the same year since there was a big legal battle for the name and symbol between P. J. Joseph and K. M. Mani. The court ruled in favor of P. J. Joseph. In 1989, R. Balakrishnan Pillai also left Parent Kerala Congress.

P. J. Joseph was minister several times until 2010 representing Kerala Congress.

### Merger with Kerala Congress (M) and dissolution (2010–2015)

[edit]

In 2010, one of the founder's sons, P. C. Thomas, joined the Party. He was a Kerala Congress (M) member until 2001 and later formed his own party, the Indian Federal Democratic Party.

Later that year, Kerala Congress (J) and Kerala Congress (M) decide to merge into one party. P. C. Thomas did not support this merger and made his own fraction called Kerala Congress (Anti-merger Group).

Eventually, the Kerala Election Commission froze the party's name and symbol, thereby dissolving Kerala Congress.

## Revival of Kerala Congress (2016– )

[edit]

### Alliance with NDA (P. C. Thomas Era (2016–2021))

[edit]

P. C. Thomas was a chairman of Kerala Congress (Anti-merger Group). In 2014, a power struggle erupted in that party and on 2015 Thomas left Kerala Congress (Anti-merger Group) and formed Kerala Congress (Thomas) but Left Democratic Front did not approve this split and kicked out Thomas from their alliance.

In August 2015, the Kerala Congress faction led by P. C. Thomas join the Kerala unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).[9]

In 2016, after a long legal battle P. C. Thomas received approval to use the name as bracket less Kerala Congress party. So Thomas dissolved Kerala Congress (Thomas) and revived the Kerala Congress.

P. C. Thomas contested from Kottayam Lok Sabha constituency for NDA[10] on 2019 Indian general election

In October 2020, it was reported that P. C. Thomas was leaving NDA and was likely to join the United Democratic Front (UDF).[11] The party however decided to stay in the NDA and extended their support to NDA candidates in the 2020 Kerala local elections.[12]

From 2016 to 2021 Kerala Congress was in an alliance with NDA (National Democratic Alliance).

On 17 March 2021, the party left the NDA. later the Kerala Congress (Joseph), which was part of the Congress-led UDF merged into bracket-less Kerala Congress.[13][14] which lead to P. J. Joseph becoming the Kerala Congress Party chairman again.

### 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election

[edit]

After the merger with Kerala Congress, P. J. Joseph, and Mons Joseph resigned from the MLA post to avoid the technicalities regarding the Anti-Defection[15] Law as they had won the assembly election in 2016 in KEC(M) tickets[16][17] However, 8 out of 10 candidates of Kerala Congress lost in elections, only P. J. Joseph and Mons Joseph were re-elected to the legislative assembly from Thodupuzha and Kaduthuruthy respectively.[18]

## Splinter Factions of Kerala Congress

[edit]

See also: Splits and Mergers of Kerala Congress

### Parties in UDF

[edit]

* Kerala Congress [KEC] of P. J. Joseph
* Kerala Congress(J) [KEC(J)] of Anoop Jacob

### Parties in LDF

[edit]

* Kerala Congress(M) [KEC(M)] of Jose K. Mani
* Kerala Congress(B) [KEC(B)] of K. B. Ganesh Kumar
* Janadhipathya Kerala Congress [JKC] of Dr. K. C. Joseph and Antony Raju
* Kerala Congress(ST) [KEC(ST)] of Binoy Joseph

### Parties in NDA

[edit]

* Kerala Congress(D) of Saji Manjakadambil
* Kerala Congress(N) of Kuruvila Mathews
* Kerala Congress(S) of Kallada Das
* Kerala Vikas Congress (JKC) of Prof. Prakash Kuriakose

There is a move for grand-merger of Kerala Congress factions within NDA - Kerala Congress(D) of Saji Manjakadambil, Kerala Congress(N) of Kuruvila Mathews, Kerala Congress(S) of Kallada Das, Kerala Vikas Congress (JKC) of Prof. Prakash Kuriakose along with National Progressive Party of V. V. Augustine along with some individual former Kerala Congress leaders like George J. Mathew, V. Surendran Pillai, Mathew Stephen, M. V. Mani, George Sebastian, Jerry Easow Oommen, etc.

## Party organisation

[edit]

### Leadership

[edit]

On 27 April a meeting convened online by the party leadership in Thodupuzha and chose P.J Joseph as party chairman[19] and PC Thomas as working chairman.[1] Mons Joseph has been elected as the Executive Chairman,[20] Francis George, Johnny Nelloor and Thomas Unniyadan as deputy chairman, while Joy Abraham[21] is the secretary-general.[22]

## Electoral performance

[edit]

Loksabha election results in Kerala  Election Year  | Alliance  | Seats contested  | Seats won  | Total Votes  | Percentage of votes  | +/- Vote

|
|
|
|
|
|

2024 | UDF | 1  |

1 / 20

| 364,631  | 1.84%  | New
2009 | LDF | 1  |

0 / 20

| 333,688  | 2.09%  |  0.26%
2004 | LDF | 1  |

1 / 20

| 353,905  | 2.35%  |  0.05%
1999 | LDF | 1  |

1 / 20

| 365,313  | 2.40%  |  0.20%
1998 | LDF | 1  |

0 / 20

| 327,649  | 2.20%  |  0.03%
1996 | LDF | 1  |

0 / 20

| 320,539  | 2.23%  |  0.01%
1991 | LDF | 1  |

0 / 20

| 319,933  | 2.24%  |  1.78%
1989 | LDF | 1  |

0 / 20

| 68,811  | 0.46%  |  1.91%
1984 | UDF | 1  |

0 / 20

| 258,591  | 2.37%  |  2.00%
1980 | UDF | 2  |

1 / 20

| 356,997  | 4.37%  |  1.23%
1977 | UDF | 2  |

2 / 20

| 491,674  | 5.6%  |  2.70%
1971 | UDF | 3  |

3 / 19

| 542,431  | 8.3%  |  3,18%
1967 | UDF | 5  |

0 / 19

| 321,219  | 5.12%  | New

Kerala Legislative Assembly election results  Election Year  | Alliance  | Seats contested  | Seats won  | Total Votes  | Percentage of votes  | +/- Vote

|
|
|
|
|
|

2021 | UDF | 10  |

2 / 140

| 554,115  | 2.66%  |  2.48%
2016 | NDA | 3  |

0 / 140

| 37,108  | 0.18%  |
2006 | LDF | 6  |

4 / 140

| 271,854  | 1.75%  |  1.15%
2006 | LDF | 10  |

2 / 140

| 455,748  | 2.9%  |  0.20%
1996 | LDF | 10  |

6 / 140

| 442,421  | 3.10%  |  0.27%
1991 | LDF | 10  |

1 / 140

| 477,849  | 3.37%  |  0.17%
1987 | LDF | 14  |

5 / 140

| 451,159  | 3.54%  |  0.90%
1982 | UDF | 12  |

8 / 140

| 435,200  | 4.55%  |  0.40%
1980 | UDF | 17  |

6 / 140

| 471,817  | 4.95%  |  3.43%
1977 | UDF | 22  |

20 / 140

| 734,879  | 8.38%  |  2.47%
1970 | UDF | 31  |

12 / 140

| 445,232  | 5.91%  |  1.66%
1967 |  | 61  |

5 / 133

| 475,172  | 7.57%  |  5.01%
1965 |  | 54  |

23 / 133

| 796,291  | 12.58%  | New

## Notable leaders of various factions of Kerala Congress

[edit]

* K. M. George
* Adv.O.V.Lukose (Founding Organising Secratary)
* K. M. Mani
* Mathachan Kuruvinakunnel
* R. Balakrishna Pillai
* E. John Jacob
* K. R. Saraswathy Amma
* Vayala Idiculla
* T. S. John
* K. Mohandas
* Sam Oommen
* Thomas Kallampally
* P. J. Joseph
* P. C. Thomas
* Mons Joseph
* C. F. Thomas
* Francis George
* Thomas Unniyadan
* Joy Abraham
* Prince Lukose

* T. M Jacob
* Oommen Mathew

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "PJ Joseph elected Kerala Congress chairman". 28 April 2021.
2. ^ Fic, Victor M. (1970). "Split of Political Parties". Kerala: Rise of Communist Power, 1937-1969. Nachiketa Publications. pp. 184–85.184-85&rft.pub=Nachiketa+Publications&rft.date=1970&rft.aulast=Fic&rft.aufirst=Victor+M.&rft_id=https://www.indianculture.gov.in/ebooks/kerala-yenan-india-rise-communist-power-1937-1969&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Kerala+Congress" class="Z3988">
3. ^ "unrecognized political parties and the symbols allotted to them when they were recognized parties" (PDF). Wayback eci. 3 June 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 June 2021.
4. ^ a b Fic, Victor M. (1970). "Split of Political Parties". Kerala: Rise of Communist Power, 1937-1969. Nachiketa Publications. pp. 184–85.184-85&rft.pub=Nachiketa+Publications&rft.date=1970&rft.aulast=Fic&rft.aufirst=Victor+M.&rft_id=https://www.indianculture.gov.in/ebooks/kerala-yenan-india-rise-communist-power-1937-1969&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Kerala+Congress" class="Z3988">
5. ^ a b c d e f g Philip, Shaju (23 October 2020). "The Long History of Kerala Congress Splits and Factions, from Mani to Son". The Indian Express.
6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "How Kerala Congress Mastered the Art of Split and Rise". Malayala Manorama. 10 April 2019.
7. ^ Jacob, George (9 October 2014). "50 years on, Kerala Congress Tries to Redefine Itself". The Hindu.
8. ^ Kochukudy, Anand (18 April 2023). "Modi image, Syrian Christian base can help BJP in Kerala. But leadership crisis a spoilsport". The Print.
9. ^ "P.C. Thomas in NDA fold". The Hindu. 2 August 2015. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
10. ^ Jacob, George (10 March 2015). "Scaria Thomas is chief of pro-LDF Kerala Congress". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
11. ^ "Jolt to NDA as P C Thomas' Kerala Congress to quit alliance, likely to join UDF". The New Indian Express. 24 October 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
12. ^ "Kerala Congress (PC Thomas faction) announces support to NDA in local body polls". ANI. 5 December 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
13. ^ "Kerala Congress Thomas faction leaves NDA ahead of assembly polls". 17 March 2021.
14. ^ "P C Thomas to quit NDA; to merge with P J Joseph". Mathrubhumi. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
15. ^ Radhakrishnan, S. Anil (19 March 2021). "Two Kerala Congress legislators resign". The Hindu.
16. ^ "Joseph, Mons quit as MLAs; uncertainty looms over symbol". 19 March 2021.
17. ^ "Kerala Assembly Elections | Kerala Congress in a bind over election symbol". The Hindu. 20 March 2021.
18. ^ "With just two seats, PJ Joseph loses battle of Kerala Congress factions". The New Indian Express. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
19. ^ "P J Joseph will be chairman".
20. ^ "കേരള കോൺഗ്രസ്: പി.ജെ. ജോസഫ് ചെയർമാൻ".
21. ^ "KC factions formalise merger". The Hindu. 27 April 2021.
22. ^ "P J Joseph is Kerala Congress chairman, P C Thomas working chairman".

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kerala Congress.

* v
* t
* e

Political parties in India

National parties|

* Aam Aadmi Party
* Bahujan Samaj Party
* Bharatiya Janata Party
* Communist Party of India (Marxist)
* Indian National Congress
* National People's Party

State parties|

* AJSU Party
* All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
* All India Forward Bloc
* All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen
* All India N.R. Congress
* All India Trinamool Congress
* All India United Democratic Front
* Apna Dal (Soneylal)
* Asom Gana Parishad
* Bharat Rashtra Samithi
* Biju Janata Dal
* Bodoland People's Front
* Communist Party of India
* Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation
* Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam
* Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
* Goa Forward Party
* Hill State People's Democratic Party
* Indian National Lok Dal
* Indian Union Muslim League
* Indigenous People's Front of Tripura
* Jammu and Kashmir National Conference
* Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party
* Janasena Party
* Janata Dal (Secular)
* Janata Dal (United)
* Jannayak Janta Party
* Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (J)
* Jharkhand Mukti Morcha
* Kerala Congress (M)
* Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas)
* Maharashtra Navnirman Sena
* Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party
* Mizo National Front
* Naam Tamilar Katchi
* Naga People's Front
* Nationalist Congress Party
* Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar
* Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party
* People's Party of Arunachal
* People's Democratic Front
* Rashtriya Janata Dal
* Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party
* Rashtriya Lok Samta Party
* Rashtriya Loktantrik Party
* Revolutionary Goans Party
* Revolutionary Socialist Party
* Samajwadi Party
* Shiromani Akali Dal
* Shiv Sena
* Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)
* Sikkim Democratic Front
* Sikkim Krantikari Morcha
* Telugu Desam Party
* Tipra Motha Party
* United Democratic Party
* United People's Party, Liberal
* Voice of the People Party
* Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi
* Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party
* Zoram Nationalist Party
* Zoram People's Movement

Unrecognized
parties|

* Ahila India Naadalum Makkal Katchi
* All India Rajakulathor Peravai
* Ambedkarite Party of India
* Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam
* Gana Suraksha Party
* Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist)
* Apna Dal
* Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)
* Bahujan Mukti Party
* Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh
* Bharatiya Tribal Party
* Communist Marxist Party
* Congress (Secular)
* Democratic Azad Party
* Democratic Socialist Party (Prabodh Chandra)
* Desiya Makkal Sakthi Katchi
* Goa Vikas Party
* Gondwana Ganatantra Party
* Gorkha Janmukti Morcha
* Hamro Sikkim Party
* Hindustan Janta Party
* Hindustani Awam Morcha
* Ikkjutt Jammu
* Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi
* Indian National League
* Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party
* Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference
* Jammu and Kashmir Workers Party
* Jan Adhikar Party (Loktantrik)
* Jannayak Janta Party
* Jansatta Dal (Loktantrik)
* Jharkhand Party
* Karnataka Pragnyavantha Janatha Party
* Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement
* Kerala Congress (Balakrishna Pillai)
* Kerala Congress (Jacob)
* Kerala Congress (Thomas)
* Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi
* Lok Insaaf Party
* Loktantrik Janata Dal
* Mahan Dal
* Makkal Needhi Maiam
* Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
* Marxist Co-ordination Committee
* National Secular Conference
* NISHAD Party
* Pattali Makkal Katchi
* Puratchi Bharatham Katchi
* Puthiya Needhi Katchi
* Puthiya Tamilagam
* Raijor Dal
* Rashtriya Lok Morcha
* Rashtriya Samaj Paksha
* Republican Party of India (Athawale)
* Revolutionary Socialist Party of Kerala (Bolshevik)
* Revolutionary Socialist Party (Leninist)
* Samajwadi Janata Party (Rashtriya)
* Shiv Sangram
* Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic)
* Sikkim National People's Party
* Social Democratic Party of India
* Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist)
* Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party
* Swabhimani Paksha
* Swatantra Bharat Paksh
* Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar)
* Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam
* Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam
* Tamizhaga Murpokku Makkal Katchi
* Telangana Jana Samithi
* Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance
* United Goans Democratic Party
* Uttarakhand Kranti Dal
* Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi
* Vikassheel Insaan Party
* Welfare Party of India

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template