Chennithala upset over unceremonious exit

Thiruvananthapuram: “Let bygones be bygones, there is no point in discussing the past,” was Ramesh Chennithala’s response on Sunday when he was asked about the way he was removed from the opposition leader’s post.
“I was ready to quit soon after the election results came. But party leaders in the state urged me to continue in the post for strengthening the UDF. That was the reason why I did not resign,” he said.
It was clear that he was disappointed at the manner in which he was kept in the dark on the party high command’s decision to replace him with V D Satheesan.
“AICC leader Mallikarjuna Kharge called me on Saturday morning and informed that the party high command has decided to appoint a new opposition leader,” Chennithala said. However, he added that he is not dejected and that he is totally satisfied with his performance as the opposition leader. “I have tried to do my maximum as the opposition leader and the people of the state are aware of it. I do not need the certificate of Pinarayi Vijayan. I will continue my fight against his government,” he said.
He assured all support for opposition leader-designate Satheesan. UDF and Congress are going through one of their worst phases and hence, Satheesan has a massive responsibility on his shoulders, he said, adding: “We would provide all support to him to strengthen UDF and also the party.”
Meanwhile, Satheesan reached the state capital on Sunday morning and visited several senior party leaders. He first called on AICC general secretary K C Venugopal at his residence. “It is the time to put an end to groupism and to work for the party. It is time to rejuvenate the party and hence, the party needs a total revamp,” said Venugopal.
Later, Satheesan went to the headquarters of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) and met KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran. Satheesan also met former KPCC president V M Sudheeran, who pointed out that factionalism has spoiled the party and he is hopeful that Satheesan will perform “beyond groups” and discharge his duties ably. Satheesan also met former KPCC president Thennala BalakrishnaPillai, UDF convener M M Hassan and former chief minister Oommen Chandy. Satheesan will be meeting Chennithala only on Monday as he was in his home constituency Haripad on Sunday.