Thiruvananthapuram: What
Oommen Chandy did to K Karunakaran in 1996 is now backfiring after 22 years, with VM
Sudheeran and PJ Kurien unleashing a scathing attack against him ‘for his selfish act’ in the party. Chandy has become the sole target for awarding the
Rajya Sabha seat to KC(M), which leaders termed as his ‘personal’ agenda. Meanwhile, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala met Kurien and washed his hands of the incident.
Sudheeran said: “Congress has seen incidents like resignation for awarding the RS seat to a constituent after finalizing a Congress nominee. The same bunch of leaders (who protested) are now doing the same thing (changing candidate) that has triggered widespread unrest among party workers.”
Kurien was more vigorous in his attack. “He always tried to create obstacles against me in the party. His personal agenda has helped Mani get the RS seat. Party
high command was interested in giving me the seat. State party leaders misled the high command. Chennithala told me that he was helpless when the discussion was going on in Delhi. But, Chandy did not even inform me that the seat would be given to KC(M). Mani had never demanded the seat,” said Kurien.
KV Thomas too criticized the decision taken by Ramesh-Chandy-Hassan in New Delhi. “This is not the way decisions are made. Party should be aware of decisions being taken,” he said.Meanwhile, MLA VT Balram has sought a leadership change in the party.
The high command also expressed its dissatisfaction after a crisis erupted following the RS seat allocation. It sought a
report from AICC general secretary
Mukul Wasnik. It is learnt that
Rahul Gandhi had phoned AK Antony to convey his displeasure over the way the state leadership handled the issue.
He received a bunch of complaints from Sudheeran, Kurien, Thomas and young MLAs. He talked to Antony to know what led to the crisis. It is learnt that Antony was dissatisfied as he too was kept in the dark on the RS seat allocation. Leaders from the state, who complained to Rahul that Wasnik is acting according to the whims of Chandy and Chennithala, sought his removal.
Sources said that Rahul will be convening a discussion with Antony and Wasnik in two days and issue instructions to state leaders. High command’s displeasure will be reflected in the selection of new KPCC president and UDF convener.
KC(M) to contest in
Kottayam LS seat
KC(M) candidate will contest as the UDF nominee from Kottayam in the 2019 elections, said MP Jose K Mani, adding that an understanding has been reached on this matter. Regarding his selection as UDF candidate for RS elections, Jose said that in the wake of a special political situation, his party decided to field him as the candidate.
Protest in Kochi
Amid protests brewing up in Congress, some ‘unknown persons’ placed wreath and a coffin in front of the DCC office in Kochi to symbolise the death of the party and its leadership on Saturday. Though there are reports that party workers placed the wreath and coffin below the flag mast, party leaders ruled out the possibility.
When employees came to open the office around 7.30am they noticed the wreath and coffin. Photographs of Chandy and Chennithala had been pasted on the coffin; they were both termed as Judas.