Leaders have reservations over top two contenders

Anto has high command backing, Sunny preferred nominee of Syro-Malabar Church

- KS SREEJITH @T'Puram

AS moves for a change of guard at the helm of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) gather pace, all talk is now centred around naming a person from the Christian community to the position. Even as Pathanamthitta MP and former Kottayam DCC president Anto Antony has emerged as a strong contender, the AICC leadership has reserved its decision, at least for the time being, as a consensus remains elusive.

In addition to Anto, the names of former Kannur DCC chief and Peravoor MLA Sunny Joseph, and senior leader and Chalakkudy MP Benny Behnan are actively being considered. The AICC seems keen to take into account the concerns of the Christian community, especially the Catholic Church, over inadequate representation in the party leadership, especially after the era of A K Antony and Oommen Chandy. The Church has aired its concerns on multiple occasions.

While Anto has the backing of the AICC leadership, with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra blessings, Sunny is the preferred nominee of the Syro-Malabar Church.