UpdateBot at 03:22, 7 June 2022

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{{Other uses|Kerala Congress (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox Indian political party
|party_name = Kerala Congress
|party_logo = [[File:Kerala-Congress-flag.svg|200px|border]]
|colorcode = {{party color|Kerala Congress}}
|abbreviation = KC
|foundation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1964|10|09}}
|founder =
* [[K. M. George (politician)|K. M. George]]
* [[R. Balakrishna Pillai]]
* [[Mannathu Padmanabha Pillai]]
* Mathachan Kuruvinakunnel
|chairman = [[P. J. Joseph]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2021/apr/28/p-j-joseph-elected-kerala-congress-chairman-2295683.html|title = PJ Joseph elected Kerala Congress chairman}}</ref>
|headquarters = State Committee Office,
Near Star Theatre junction, [[Kottayam]], [[Kerala]]
|eci = Registered-Unrecognized
|alliance =* [[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|United Democratic Front (UDF)]](1964-1989) , (2010-Present)
*[[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)]](1989-2010)
|loksabha_seats = {{Composition bar|0|543|{{party color|Kerala Congress}}}}
|rajyasabha_seats = {{Composition bar|0|245|{{party color|Kerala Congress}}}}
|state_seats_name = [[Kerala Legislative Assembly]]
|state_seats = {{Composition bar|2|140|{{party color|Kerala Congress}}}}
|ideology = Welfare of toiling class
|youth = Kerala Youth Front
|students = Kerala Students Congress
|women = Kerala Vanitha Congress
|labour = Kerala Trade Union Congress
|colours = Half white and half red
|symbol = [[File:Indian Election Symbol Cycle.png|150px|Kerala Congress Symbol will allotted to them when they were recognized parties]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ceo.kerala.gov.in/pdf/SYMBOLS/ElectionSymbols.pdf|title=unrecognized political parties and the symbols allotted to them when they were recognized parties|date=3 June 2021|website=Wayback eci|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603024808/http://www.ceo.kerala.gov.in/pdf/SYMBOLS/ElectionSymbols.pdf|archive-date=3 June 2021}}</ref>
|split=[[Indian National Congress]]}}

'''Kerala Congress''' is a [[political party]] in [[Kerala]], [[India]] founded In 1964. By the leadership of [[K. M. George (politician)|K. M. George]], [[R. Balakrishna Pillai]], [[Mannathu Padmanabha Pillai]] and Mathachan Kuruvinakunnel.

==History==
{{Main|Splits And Mergers Of Kerala Congress}}
The Kerala Congress was founded in 1964 from a split in the ruling [[Indian National Congress]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/the-long-history-of-kerala-congress-splits-factions-from-mani-to-son-6843627/|title = The long history of Kerala Congress splits & factions, from Mani to son|date = 23 October 2020}}</ref> Following a scandal in 1963, Kerala Chief Minister [[R. Sankar]] removed Home Minister [[P. T. Chacko]] from his cabinet; who died in 1964. Fifteen of Chacko’s colleagues led by [[K. M. George (politician)|K. M. George]] toppled Sankar in a no-confidence motion. George and [[R. Balakrishna Pillai]] formed Kerala Congress with the backing of [[Mannath Padmanabhan]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/50-years-on-kerala-congress-tries-to-redefine-itself/article6482669.ece|title=50 years on, Kerala Congress tries to redefine itself|newspaper=The Hindu|date=9 October 2014|last1=Jacob|first1=George}}</ref>

Kerala Congress Grew under [[K. M. George (politician)|K. M. George]]., and [[R. Balakrishna Pillai]] was another founding leader of the party.

Besides these two leaders, [[K. M. Mani]] and [[P. J. Joseph]], the youth front leader rose as prominent leaders of the party. After the death of K. M. George in 1976, there was a tussle for control over the party between Pillai, Mani, and Joseph. Pillai felt he would be the [[De facto#Politics|de facto leader]] of the party as the senior-most leader. However, Mani and Joseph had more followers.

In the year 1977, just before the Assembly elections, R. Balakrishna Pillai announced a split from the parent Kerala Congress. This group came to be known as [[Kerala Congress (Balakrishna Pillai)]] with R. Balakrishna Pillai as the Chairman.

Kerala Congress was again split in the year 1979, [[K. M. Mani]] announced a split from the parent Kerala Congress, owing to the difference of opinions with [[P. J. Joseph]]. This group came to be known as [[Kerala Congress (Mani)]] with [[K. M. Mani]] as the Chairman.

== Kerala Congress (P.J Joseph Era) (1979-2010) ==
{{Main|Kerala Congress (Joseph)}}
After [[K. M. Mani|K.M Mani]] and [[R. Balakrishna Pillai]]'s departure from the Parent Kerala Congress party, the media started to address Kerala Congress as Kerala Congress (J) Or [[Kerala Congress (Joseph)]] Or simply Joseph Group.

However Splinter fractions of [[R. Balakrishna Pillai]] and [[K. M. Mani]] Merged with parent Kerala Congress Led By [[P. J. Joseph]] On 1985

But these parties again split in 1987 by K, M Mani, after the split 1987 there is a big legal battle for the name and symbol between [[P.J Joseph]] and [[K.M Mani]] and the court was ruled in favor of PJ 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 Dissolved (2010-2015) ===
In 2010 One of the founder's son [[P. C. Thomas]] Joined Party. He was [[Kerala Congress (M)]] member until 2001 later formed his own party called IFDP.

Later that year [[Kerala Congress (J)|Kerala Congress]] 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 freezes party Name & symbol. which dissolved Kerala Congress.

==Revival of Kerala Congress (2016-Present)==

=== Alliance with NDA (P.C Thomas Era (2016-2021)) ===
P.C Thomas was a chairman of [[Kerala Congress (Anti-merger Group)]]. since 2014 a power struggle erupted on that party . on 2015 Thomas left [[Kerala Congress (Anti-merger Group)]] and form [[Kerala Congress (Thomas)]] but [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)]] did not approve this split. and kicked out Thomas from their alliance.

In 2015 August, the Kerala Congress faction led by P. C. Thomas join the Kerala unit of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]-led [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|National Democratic Alliance]] (NDA).<ref>{{cite news|date=2 August 2015|title=P.C. Thomas in NDA fold|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/pc-thomas-in-nda-fold/article7491247.ece|access-date=10 September 2019}}</ref>

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 Kerala Congress

PC Thomas contested from Kottayam (Lok Sabha constituency) for NDA<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/scaria-thomas-is-chief-of-proldf-kerala-congress/article6976788.ece|title=Scaria Thomas is chief of pro-LDF Kerala Congress|author=Jacob, George|date=10 March 2015|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=10 September 2019}}</ref> 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 (Kerala)|United Democratic Front]] (UDF).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/oct/24/jolt-to-nda-as-p-c-thomas-kerala-congress-to-quit-alliance-likely-to-join-udf-2214596.html|title=Jolt to NDA as P C Thomas' Kerala Congress to quit alliance, likely to join UDF|work=The New Indian Express|date=24 October 2020|access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref> The party however decided to stay in the NDA and extended their support to NDA candidates in the [[2020 Kerala local elections]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/kerala-congress-pc-thomas-faction-announces-support-to-nda-in-local-body-polls20201205194319/|title=Kerala Congress (PC Thomas faction) announces support to NDA in local body polls|agency=[[Asian News International|ANI]]|date=5 December 2020|work=|access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>

== Kerala Congress (P.J Joseph Era 2.0) (2021- Present) ==
Since 2016 to 2021 Kerala Congress was in an alliance with [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|National Democratic Alliance]] (NDA)

On 2021 March 17 the party left the [[National Democratic Alliance]] (NDA) later [[Kerala Congress (Joseph)]], which is part of the Congress-led [[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|United Democratic Front]] (UDF) merged into bracket less '''Kerala Congress'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kerala-congress-thomas-faction-leaves-nda-ahead-of-assembly-polls-101615965428492.html|title = Kerala Congress Thomas faction leaves NDA ahead of assembly polls|date = 17 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=P C Thomas to quit NDA; to merge with P J Joseph|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/p-c-thomas-to-quit-nda-to-merge-with-p-j-joseph-1.5522785|access-date=2021-03-17|website=Mathrubhumi|language=en}}</ref> which Makes [[P. J. Joseph]] as Kerala Congress Party Chairman Again

=== 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election ===
[[File:Indian_Election_Symbol_Tractor_Chalata_Kisan.png|alt=Symbol Used In 2021 El|border|right|150x150px|Symbol Used In 2021 Elections]]
After the merger with Kerala Congress , [[PJ Joseph]] and [[Mons Joseph]] resigned from MLA post to avoid the technicalities regarding the Anti-Defection<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/kerala-assembly/two-kerala-congress-legislators-resign/article34107498.ece|title = Two Kerala Congress legislators resign|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 19 March 2021|last1 = Radhakrishnan|first1 = S. Anil}}</ref> Law as they had won the assembly election in 2016 in Kerala Congress (M) tickets<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/joseph-mons-quit-as-mlas-uncertainty-looms-over-symbol-1.5527836|title=Joseph, Mons quit as MLAs; uncertainty looms over symbol}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/kerala-assembly/kerala-elections-kerala-congress-in-a-bind-over-election-symbol/article34117906.ece|title = Kerala Assembly Elections | Kerala Congress in a bind over election symbol|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 20 March 2021}}</ref>
However 8 out of 10 Candidates of Kerala Congress lost in elections, only [[P. J. Joseph]] and [[Monce Joseph|Mons Joseph]] were re-elected to the legislative assembly from [[Thodupuzha (State Assembly constituency)|Thodupuzha]] and [[Kaduthuruthy (State Assembly constituency)|Kaduthuruthy]] respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|title=With just two seats, PJ Joseph loses battle of Kerala Congress factions|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2021/may/03/with-just-two-seats-pj-joseph-loses-battle-of-kerala-congress-factions-2297710.html|access-date=2021-05-09|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>

== Party Organisation ==

===Leadership===
On April 27 a meeting convened online by the party leadership in Thodupuzha and chooses P.J Joseph as party chairman<ref>{{Cite web|url=
https://www.manoramaonline.com/news/latest-news/2021/04/27/pj-joseph-elected-kerala-congress-chairman.html|title=P J Joseph will be chairman}}</ref> and PC Thomas as working chairman<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2021/apr/28/p-j-joseph-elected-kerala-congress-chairman-2295683.html|title = PJ Joseph elected Kerala Congress chairman}}</ref>., Mons Joseph has been elected as the executive chairman<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2021/04/27/kerala-congress-pj-joseph.html|title=കേരള കോൺഗ്രസ്: പി.ജെ. ജോസഫ് ചെയർമാൻ}}</ref>., Francis George Johnny Nelloor and Thomas unniyadan as Deputy Chairman, while Joy Abraham<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kc-factions-formalise-merger/article34423204.ece|title = KC factions formalise merger|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 27 April 2021}}</ref> is the secretary-general.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2021/04/27/pj-joseph-is-kerala-congress-chairman-pc-thomas-working-chairman.html|title = P J Joseph is Kerala Congress chairman, P C Thomas working chairman}}</ref>

==Notable leaders of Kerala Congress==
*[[K. M. George (politician)|K. M. George]]
*[[Mathachan Kuruvinakunnel]]
*[[P. J. Joseph]]
*[[P. C. Thomas]]
*[[Mons Joseph]]
*[[C. F. Thomas]]
*[[Francis George (politician)|Francis George ]]
*[[Johnny Nellore]]
*[[Thomas Unniyadan]]
*[[Joy Abraham]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Kerala Congress}}

{{Indian political parties}}

[[Category:State political parties in Kerala|Congress]]
[[Category:Kerala Congress Parties| ]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 1964]]
[[Category:1964 establishments in Kerala]]

Kerala Congress - Revision history

UpdateBot at 03:22, 7 June 2022