Kottayam: Poll strategist Sunil Kanugolu has recommended six names to succeed K Sudhakaran as the president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).

Kanugolu has recommended to the Congress high command MPs Adoor Prakash, Kodikkunnil Suresh, Anto Antony, Benny Behenan, and MLAs Roji M John and Sunny Joseph as the next KPCC president.

With the poll strategist suggesting six names, discussions AICC general secretary Deepa Dasmunshi would hold with KPCC office bearers become crucial in selecting the new chief of the Congress's Kerala unit.

Incidentally, the party's high command has not named anyone this time but has preferred that the state unit suggest its leader.

Dasmunshi, meanwhile, will consider Kanugolu's list when she meets with the KPCC office bearers. The central leadership will decide on the unit president only after considering the views of party leaders, including Opposition Leader VD Satheesan. The Congress, however, has the 'one person, one post' norm. All six in Kanugolu's list are elected lawmakers.

Adoor Prakash
Excellent organiser and adept in poll management.
Kodikkunnil Suresh
The Dalit face of the Congress at the national level, Suresh, is a hard worker who has been considered for the top KPCC post several times.

Anto Antony
Antony does not harbour extreme views. Mostly a silent warrior, he is an excellent organiser. His work as the leader in charge of the Nilambur segment during the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll has won accolades.

Sunny Joseph
An orator and the party's face in debates. Joseph has a good clout with farmers and in the hilly areas of the state.

Benny Behanan
Behanan has a statewide network of grassroots-level followers. Though known as a confidant of the late Oommen Chandy, he is acceptable to the second-rung leaders in the 'A' group.

Roji M John
A young blood, holding a good relationship with the national leadership. John was formerly the president of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI).

Dasmunshi's questions to party leaders

• Is there a pro-Congress political climate in Kerala now?
• The party's prospects in forming the government after the next Assembly elections?
• Prospects in the elections to the local self-government bodies?
• Views or suggestions to better the party's functioning?
  How should the reorganisation be carried out?