Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 10 (IANS): V.M. Sudheeran on Friday announced he was resigning as President of the Kerala unit of the Congress party.

"I am stepping down as I am unable to discharge my duties as my health does not allow me to do so," he told reporters.

"I could have taken leave from the post but I felt that this is a time that the party has to be led on a day-to-day basis and hence I feel I have to go," said Sudheeran.

Sudheeran last week suffered a fall while taking part in a party meeting and was hospitalized for a few days.

Just like his appointment in February 2014, his resignation also came as a bolt from the blue.

Sudheeran's tenure saw serious difference between then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy over the liquor policy and then over distribution of ticket in the 2016 assembly polls.

Sudheeran's exit was "a surprise and who his successor is going to be will be decided by the party high command", senior Congress leader K. Sudhakaran said.

"I don't think there will be any opposition from any quarters if Chandy is asked to take over as the President," he said.