Kerala: Opposition leader rushes to V M Sudheeran to pacify him

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The efforts to pacify disgruntled Congress leader V M Sudheeran is continuing with opposition leader V D Satheesan visiting him. AICC general secretary Tariq Anwar and KPCC president K Sudhakaran are also likely to meet the senior party leader to persuade him to withdraw the resignation from PAC.
During the meeting the opposition leader had with Sudheeran, the former KPCC president is learnt to have explained about the issues and grievances he had with the present party leadership. However he was firm on the resignation and was not ready to reconsider it, said sources.
After about an hour-long discussion with Sudheeran, Satheesan said, “I did not come to request him to withdraw the resignation. I was sure that he would not relent. Even if ten Satheesans tried to persuade him, he would not go back on his resignation. I came here to apologise to him over lapses on my part. I have the freedom for this since I enjoy a very close relationship with him.”
There were reports that Sudheeran was upset with the way he was sidelined in the discussion on restructuring the party committees. However, K Sudhakaran said that Sudheeran was given ample opportunities to comment during the discussions but he did not utilise it. “I had personally gone to meet him when we learnt that he was upset. The PAC has met regularly to discuss policy decisions. But every matter has not been discussed in the PAC,” said Sudhakaran.
He said all decisions taken by the party leadership were supported by the party high command. All senior leaders were consulted whenever a decision was taken and no one was isolated in the party. “I am ready to meet Sudheeran and hold discussions. KPCC will urge Sudheeran to withdraw his resignation,” said Sudhakaran.
Meanwhile, several senior leaders termed Sudheeran’s resignation from PAC as unfortunate. Ramesh Chennithala said Sudheeran should be there in the policy-making body of the party and he hoped that the present leadership would persuade him to withdraw his resignation. UDF convener M M Hassan too said the party leadership would discuss the issues with Sudheeran and resolve it at the earliest.