A day after senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala lashed out at Kerala Congress Pradesh Committee (KPCC) president K. Sudhakaran and Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, the controversy continued to rage with the rival camps hardening their positions.
The ongoing tussle hit a new flashpoint on Saturday with senior leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan openly accusing Mr. Chennithala of triggering a new crisis within the party. He said that Mr. Chennithala would have to repent in future for his untimely statement. At the swearing-in ceremony of the Kottayam DCC president on Friday, Mr. Chennithala had said the party’s State leadership was sidelining senior leaders. He had added that senior leader Oommen Chandy should be consulted on organisational issues.
“None of us will encourage attempts to mistreat Mr. Chandy. I cannot agree with Mr. Chennithala’s speech that was made by taking Mr. Chandy’s name as a cover,” he said. Accusing Mr. Chennithala for airing his dissent at a party function, he said the speech had indeed dampened the new start to the Kottayam DCC.
Backing new leaders
He also sought to reiterate his solidarity with the new State leadership. “I have strong trust in Congress high command and the party’s new leadership in Kerala. They are capable of resolving issues. This was the precedent in Congress when duos such as K. Karunakaran-A.K. Antony, Oommen Chandy-A.K. Antony, and Oommen Chandy-Ramesh Chennithala led the party. The new combination of V.D. Satheesan and K. Sudhakaran is also capable of addressing the issues. They have the strong support of the high command as well,” Mr. Radhakrishnan said.
Chandy’s response
Responding to Mr. Radhakrishnan, Mr. Chandy said later in the day that a senior leader like Mr. Chennithala did not have to take cover behind him. “He is a leader who has held all crucial posts of the Congress from the State to the national level,” said Mr. Chandy.
