Kerala Congress Leader’s Leaked Call Sparks Internal Turmoil, Fuels Opposition Claims

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A leaked phone conversation, allegedly involving senior Kerala Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram District Congress Committee (DCC) president Palode Ravi, has ignited a political firestorm within the party, forcing his resignation and providing ammunition to the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM). The controversy erupted over the weekend after the recording, where Ravi reportedly expressed pessimism about the Congress’s electoral prospects and predicted a continued reign for the CPM, circulated widely.

The eight-minute conversation, purportedly between Palode Ravi and a local leader named A. Jaleel from Pullampara revealed Ravi’s stark assessment of the Congress’s internal strife and predicted a grim future for the party in the upcoming local body polls and the Assembly elections. He is heard lamenting the lack of mutual cooperation among party members, alleging that “all are trying to backstab each other” and that the party only has local contacts in about 10% of places. More critically, Ravi allegedly stated that the Congress would be pushed to third place in the local body elections and “fall flat” in the Assembly elections, with the CPM retaining power. He also cautioned about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s strategy, suggesting they would “buy votes with money” in certain constituencies.

The leaked audio immediately sent shockwaves through the Congress leadership, which has been projecting a strong performance in the upcoming elections. The remarks by a district unit president, particularly one holding a prominent position, were seen as a significant embarrassment and a blow to party morale. Following the leak, Palode Ravi submitted his resignation as Thiruvananthapuram DCC president on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph confirmed the acceptance of Ravi’s resignation and announced the expulsion of A. Jaleel from the party’s primary membership for alleged “anti-organisational activities.”

Ravi later clarified that his comments were intended to “motivate workers to strengthen the party’s organizational structure and campaign more actively” by highlighting potential negative outcomes if efforts were not intensified. He also stated that he did not know how the call was leaked. However, the damage to the party’s narrative appears significant.

The incident underscores the persistent challenges within the Congress in Kerala, particularly regarding internal cohesion and leadership. For the CPM, the leaked conversation serves as a potent tool to underscore their claims of internal disarray within the Opposition, further complicating the Congress’s efforts to present a united front ahead of crucial electoral contests. The focus now shifts to how the Congress will manage the fallout and restore confidence among its cadre, as the political landscape in Kerala continues to be shaped by such unforeseen developments.