Tensions surfaced within the Congress in Thrissur on Monday (June 22, 2026) as a section of party workers staged a protest in front of the District Congress Committee (DCC) office against the appointment of a new mandalam president in Mathilakam.

The protest was triggered by the appointment of V.M. Hasan, who had earlier faced party disciplinary action and is alleged by workers to be not actively involved in party activities. Demonstrators said the decision was unacceptable.

They also demanded the reinstatement of former DCC secretary Chandran T.M. Kallupparambil, who had been removed from the party during the local body polls.

Protesters raised slogans against DCC president Joseph Tajet and held placards demanding his removal. Though they brought an effigy of the DCC president to the protest venue, they did not burn it.

The workers warned that if their demands were not addressed, they would intensify the agitation and launch a protest in front of the KPCC headquarters from July 1.

Responding to the developments, Mr. Tajet dismissed the protest, claiming that those who staged the sit-in had no connection with the party. He alleged that some among them had links with the BJP during the last local body elections.

Mr. Tajet said the appointment in Mathilakam was a routine organisational decision and that any grievances should be formally conveyed to the party leadership. He accused the protesters of attempting to defame the party in public and create an impression of factionalism.

Terming the agitation “sponsored”, he warned that strict action would be taken against those violating party discipline and said genuine Congress workers would not resort to such public protests.