KPCC churning begins as Sudheeran quits
KOCHI: Kerala Pradesh Congress president VM Sudheeran, a choice of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, has quit.
Sudheeran’s resignation comes just ahead of the poll verdict in five states. Gandhi had promised different factions of the party in Kerala that a decision on the state’s party organisation would be taken after the current round of assembly elections. Though party colleagues expressed surprise over the decision, Sudheeran’s action is seen as part of a high command plan.
It is not certain as to who will be the next KPCC president. 69-year old Sudheeran had cited ill health as the reason for his quitting.
He said there were no political reasons for his resignation and added that he could have taken a few months’ leave but felt that his illhealth should not affect party work. Sudheeran was handpicked by Gandhi as KPCC chief in February 2014. Known for uncompromising stand against corruption and liquor consumption, Sudheeran’s selection was resisted by the dominant Chandy and Chennithala groups.
Senior Congress leader AK Antony termed Sudheeran’s resignation as “unfortunate”. He said Sudheeran’s exit was a major loss for Congress in Kerala. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said that Sudheeran’s decision was “unexpected”.
He said he came to know about it only when Sudheeran called him. Former chief minister Oommen Chandy said that he had met Sudheeran a few days back but he had not told him anything about his resignation plan.
Sudheeran’s resignation comes just ahead of the poll verdict in five states. Gandhi had promised different factions of the party in Kerala that a decision on the state’s party organisation would be taken after the current round of assembly elections. Though party colleagues expressed surprise over the decision, Sudheeran’s action is seen as part of a high command plan.
It is not certain as to who will be the next KPCC president. 69-year old Sudheeran had cited ill health as the reason for his quitting.
He said there were no political reasons for his resignation and added that he could have taken a few months’ leave but felt that his illhealth should not affect party work. Sudheeran was handpicked by Gandhi as KPCC chief in February 2014. Known for uncompromising stand against corruption and liquor consumption, Sudheeran’s selection was resisted by the dominant Chandy and Chennithala groups.
Senior Congress leader AK Antony termed Sudheeran’s resignation as “unfortunate”. He said Sudheeran’s exit was a major loss for Congress in Kerala. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said that Sudheeran’s decision was “unexpected”.
He said he came to know about it only when Sudheeran called him. Former chief minister Oommen Chandy said that he had met Sudheeran a few days back but he had not told him anything about his resignation plan.