The list of leaders to be nominated as members of the 282-strong Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee is likely to be expanded to provide a level-playing field for those who have been left out.
This has become clear with the decision of the Congress Election Authority, headed by Mullappally Ramachandran, to hear the complaints of MPs representing the party that their views were not heard prior to the preparation of the KPCC members’ list.
Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala came to an understanding prior to submitting the list to Pradesh Returning Officer Sudharshan Nachiappan, retaining the dominance of their factions. It had also been agreed to maintain the status quo with regard to those leaders who have rejected factional affiliations.
According to a source, Mr. Ramachandran was not happy with the list since the norms prescribed by the AICC had not been observed. A few more rounds of discussions would be required with the State leaders before clearing the final list ahead of the AICC election by the end of this month.
Kerala is the only State which is yet to complete the organisation election process, the source said.
Almost all party MPs, with the exception of perhaps A.K. Antony, P.J. Kurien and Vayalar Ravi, have expressed their objections in writing. Among the legislators, former KPCC president K. Muraleedharan also voiced his objections.
Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court has asked Congress general secretary in charge of Kerala affairs Mukul Wasnik, KPCC president M.M. Hassan, Returning Officer, and Election Commission of India to respond to a writ petition seeking to conduct the organisational elections in accordance with the party constitution.