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Youth Congress leader Abin Varkey said that it is the Congress leadership that can clarify whether he was not considered for the post of State Youth Congress president because he was a Christian.

He later clarified his statements, praising the “secular” Congress movement. “We are all activists of this movement, firmly upholding secularism and protecting it like the apple of our eye,” Varkey said.

On Monday, Congress’ central leadership announced O.J. Janeesh, who had been serving as the State Vice President, as the new State Youth Congress president.

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The position had fallen vacant following the resignation of MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil after allegations of sexual misconduct. Though Mamkoottathil resigned in August, the president’s post has remained vacant for more than 50 days because of intense internal factionalism and power struggles within the party.

Mamkoottathil had earlier become the state president through an internal election in which Varkey secured the second-highest number of votes.

Expressing disappointment at not being considered for either the president’s post or any significant role in Kerala, the young leader repeatedly pointed out that he had secured 1,70,000 votes in that election.

Reportedly, community equations played a key role in Janeesh’s elevation to the top post. Currently, both the KPCC president and the KSU president are leaders from the Christian community. Party insiders suggest that concerns about maintaining community balance may have affected Varkey’s chances, leading to his accommodation in the national leadership instead.

Varkey was appointed as a national secretary by the party leadership. However, on Tuesday, he said that he hopes to continue working in Kerala and requested the leadership to allow him to remain in the state, as Kerala is heading into crucial election seasons.

“Whether I get a post or not, I will continue to be active on the frontlines of the struggle. I neither celebrate excessively nor feel dejected. I will move forward in cooperation with the state leadership. The decision was taken by the national leadership of the Youth Congress. I remain indebted to Rahul Gandhi. Through the election process, I secured 1,70,000 votes. When the party asked me to protest, I did; when they asked me to go to jail, I went. It was the party that gave me an identity, and I will never do anything to tarnish it,” he said.

“My appeal is as a committed and loyal party worker; please allow me to continue serving in Kerala,” said Varkey, who was the nominee of the “I” group.

Despite his evident disappointment, Varkey said he would not go against the party’s decision.

“Positions are not important—loyalty is. I will never say the party leadership made a wrong decision,” he said, adding that the new state president Janeesh was a deserving candidate.

“No one in the Youth Congress is undeserving. We are all people who uphold secularism and move forward together. Even without a position, I will continue to remain in the Youth Congress,” he added.

Notably, veteran leader Ramesh Chennithala had strongly pushed for Varkey’s elevation. However, the “I” group suffered a major setback when the new leadership was announced.

The new appointments also indicate that the traditional “A” and “I” groups have been losing influence, while new factions—particularly the one backed by K.C. Venugopal—are gaining prominence within the party and its affiliates.

Binu Chulliyil, considered close to AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal, was appointed as the working president, while O.J. Janeesh, who enjoyed strong backing from MP Shafi Parambil, is also reportedly close to Venugopal.

Party observers note that the leadership also cannot completely ignore Varkey’s appeal to be allowed to function from the state, and that the “I” group is expected to make efforts to regain its bargaining power within the party fold.