Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president K Sudhakaran
By Shankar Raj*
Thiruvananthapuram: Just days ahead of the announcements of the results for the Lok Sabha elections, an internecine war has broken out in the Congress in Kerala.
In a move that has surprised many, senior leader and Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala was deliberately kept in the dark over the meeting that was convened on Saturday, May 25, 2024, by the Indian National Congress-led alliance of centre-to-centre-right political parties, the United Democratic Front (UDF). The reason: Chennithala had played a crucial role in ensuring K Sudhakaran’s return as the state party chief, upsetting the ‘A’ group comprising UDF convenor MM Hassan and Opposition leader V D Satheesan.
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Hassan had held the office of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president when Sudhakaran stepped down briefly after being named the party candidate from Kannur. Though there were desperate attempts to keep Sudhakaran from regaining his chair as KPCC chief, he had to be reinstated following the support given by Chennithala.
It was Chennithala along with party veteran A K Antony who had spoiled attempts by a section of Congress leaders to see that Sudhakaran is not reinstated as state Congress chief.
Antony and Chennithala told the Congress high command that any attempt to disgrace Sudhakaran would leave the party rank and file demoralised.
The anti-Chennithala caucus in the party tried to take advantage of the Congress leader’s visit abroad to convene the UDF meeting.
A UDF leader who attended Saturday’s meeting was quoted in the media as saying: “Hassan had reported at the meet that Chennithala is abroad and hence would not be attending. Both Hassan and Satheesan are hand in glove these days. Chennithala is being sidelined by the duo of late.”
The Sudhakaran group is deeply upset with Satheesan’s clandestine moves and a full-fledged war for power is likely after June 4, depending on how the Congress fares in the Lok Sabha polls. KC Venugopal, general secretary of the party is likely to play a key role as he has his own group of followers.
*Shankar Raj is a former editor of The New Indian Express, Karnataka and Kerala, and writes regularly on current affairs.
