Kerala Congress (Secular)

Kerala Congress (secular)
ChairmanKallada Das
Split from
Merged intoKerala Congress (M) (2008), (2017)
HeadquartersPoonjar' Kottayam (India)
Student wingKerala Students Congress (KSC)
Youth wingKerala youth front (S)
ECI StatusState Party
AllianceNational Democratic Alliance (2024–present)
Seats in Lok Sabha
0 / 543
Seats in Rajya Sabha
0 / 245

Kerala Congress (Secular) is a registered regional political party in the Indian state of Kerala. It was a faction of Kerala Congress led by P. C. George, Eapen Varghese, and T. S. John. The party was split from Kerala Congress (M).[1] It had been revived by T.S. John.[2]

History

Kerala Congress (Secular) fraction formed after the split from Kerala Congress (Joseph) in early 2000's. Main leader of the fraction was P.C George however party chairman was T. S. John. PC George was the MLA From Poonjar. Kerala Congress (Secular) was part of LDF then. However he was expelled from LDF and forced to join UDF. Kerala Congress (Secular) became part of UDF and merged into Kerala Congress (Mani) on 2010. and Pc George became vice chairman of Kerala Congress (Mani) .

Expelled By Mani Family And Revival of Kerala Congress (Secular)

In 2015 Mani tried to make his son as his successor, George tried to prevent this power exchange within the Mani family. It created a lot of problems between KM Mani and PC George. Other opponents of George also want him out of the party so they joined hands with Mani family. As a result, he was expelled from party. The supporters of PC George revived Kerala Congress (Secular) under the leadership of T. S. John.

The opponents of PC George later leaved Kerala congress (Mani) stating same reasons.

Merger 2.0

After the Revival of Kerala Congress (Secular) no one in the kerala politics want to work with P.C George. So George was expelled from the Kerala Congress (Secular) which ultimately created many fractions in the party, and they all tried to merge with other parties. P.C George later created his own party called Kerala Janapaksham (Secular) but fate is similler like Kerala Congress (Secular)

First faction

First group was led by TS John, he announced its decision to rejoin with Kerala Congress (Mani).[3] However, a section of the party led by Kallada Das, PA Alexander, A. A. Abraham decided to retain the party.[4]

Second faction

Second group of leaders led by PA Alexander and A. A. Abraham, announced its decision to merge with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).[5]

Third faction

Third faction led by Deacon Thomas Kayyathra merged with Kerala Congress (Skaria Thomas) group.[6]

Fourth faction

fourth the Fraction led by Kallada Das decided to retain the party and join the National Democratic Alliance.[7] Later this faction merged with Kerala Congress (Thomas). In 2018, Kerala Congress (Secular) Kallada Das faction merged with Kerala Congress.

Fifth Faction

In 2021,Kallada Das split from Kerala Congress and revived Kerala Congress (Secular). Now, Kallada Das leading the party as Chairman. Kerala Congress (Secular) has been allowed by the Election commission of India to use its native election emblem, the "Electric Bulb". since 2012, Kerala Congress (Secular) has been a companion of the NDA. In March 2024, after a meeting with BJP state President Shri K Surendran, Organisational Secretary Shri K Subhash, State General Secretary Adv. P Sudheer and BJP Leader Shri PK Krishnadas, it was announced that Kerala Congress (Secular) is a related party(അനുബന്ധ കക്ഷി) of the NDA.

References

  1. ^ "Kerala Congress (Secular) Parts ways with KC(M)". The New Indian Express. 12 April 2015. Archived from the original on 1 December 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  2. ^ "T.S. John to head revived Kerala Congress (Secular)". The Hindu. 12 April 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  3. ^ "കേരള കോണ്‍ഗ്രസ് (സെക്യുലര്‍) മാണി ഗ്രൂപ്പില്‍ ലയിക്കും; സ്ഥാനാര്‍ഥികള്‍ പത്രിക പിന്‍വലിച്ചു" (in Malayalam). 2 May 2016. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016.
  4. ^ http://origin.mangalam.com/print-edition/keralam/432601 [dead link]
  5. ^ "Kerala Congress (Secular) to merge with NCP". 17 September 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  6. ^ "കേരള കോണ്‍ഗ്രസ് ലയനസമ്മേളനം" [Kerala Congress merges] (in Malayalam). 14 January 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  7. ^ "Kerala Congress (Secular) to support NDA". The Hindu. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2019.