Kalpetta: Advocate T J Isaac, chairman of Kalpetta municipality, has been sworn in as the new president of the Wayanad District Congress Committee (DCC). He replaces N D Appachan, who led the district unit for more than a decade. The decision, announced soon after Appachan’s resignation, is seen as a move strongly backed by the state leadership and AICC general secretary K C Venugopal.

Isaac’s appointment comes at a turbulent time for the party in Wayanad, which has been hit by factionalism, corruption allegations, and a string of tragedies involving its leaders. The suicides of former DCC treasurer N M Vijayan and his son Vijesh in December 2024, the recent death of Mullankolly panchayat member Jose Nelledam, and the suicide attempt of Vijayan’s daughter-in-law Padmaja Jijesh had raised serious questions about the unit’s functioning.

A Congress worker since the late 1980s, Isaac is widely respected for his discipline and loyalty to the party. His bachelorhood has often been jokingly linked to his single-minded dedication to politics. 

After formally taking charge from Appachan on Friday, Isaac said factional disputes had been settled and the party’s focus would now be on winning the upcoming local body bypolls. “There are no challenges before the party now. Our only target is victory,” he said, adding that a fundraising drive and Rahul Gandhi’s nationwide signature campaign against ‘vote theft’ would help energise the cadre.

Appachan, while handing over charge, embraced Isaac and described him as “like a son.” Isaac, in turn, recalled their long association since his student politics days when Appachan was already DCC president.

Looking ahead, Isaac said his priority would be strengthening the organisation at the grassroots. “Our focus now is on rejuvenating the party,” he affirmed.