Sparks are bound to fly at political affairs committee

Sparks are bound to fly at the meeting of the Congress party’s political affairs committee scheduled to be held here on Monday with senior leaders prepared to cross swords with the top brass over the

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:Sparks are bound to fly at the meeting of the Congress party’s political affairs committee scheduled to be held here on Monday with senior leaders prepared to cross swords with the top brass over the decision to ‘gift’ the Rajya Sabha seat to alliance partner Kerala Congress (M).In a taste of things to come, senior leaders such as P J Kurien and K V Thomas fired fresh salvos on Sunday.

“I will be speaking on the manner in which the RS seat was finalised without consulting anyone,” said Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Kurien.“The threesome of Oommen Chandy, Ramesh Chennithala and M M Hassan have taken a unilateral decision. These leaders have to explain in the committee as to how such an important decision was taken without proper consultation.”

“Chandy has told the press that he had done some favours to me, and I have asked as to what he has done to me personally. I demand him to respond to that,” he added.Ernakulam MP Thomas said, “The protest by the party rank and file on the Rajya Sabha seat issue is natural. The rightful seat of the Congress was gifted to the Kerala Congress on a platter.” The leader added that he has communicated his unhappiness to the high command.

Senior leader Pandalam Sudhakaran took to Facebook to vent his ire.“A sidelining virus was sent inside the party targeting a person and it boomeranged, which is the cause of the present crisis. If this virus is not contained, it will create havoc... The recent outburst cutting across group rivalry is a clear indication, which the leadership should seriously take into account,” he said, adding that A K Antony should shed his silence and intervene in the issue.

Thrikkakkara MLA P T Thomas questioned the secrecy surrounding the way in which the RS seat decision was taken. “Such an important decision should not be taken by a group of three people. Instead, it should be discussed in apt party forums and then decided. This is not war strategy to be discussed in such secrecy and party affairs should not discussed like private matters. No democratic process was taken into account in the seat allotment.”

“Discussions should have taken place in the UDF and KPCC before taking a decision, and if some understanding had taken place before the Chengannur bypoll, then it should have been mentioned in the open,” he added. With Kurien and V M Sudheeran prepared to take on Chandy, Chennithala and Hassan at the meeting and leaders such as K Muraleedharan, K V Thomas, K C Venugopal, Shanimol Usman and P C Chacko expected to up the ante, the party leadership is in for a rough ride.

The leaders are expected to be vocal in a bid to send a strong message to the central leadership via Antony, who commands respect from party president Rahul Gandhi.Sources indicated that Antony has kept a studied silence and allowed his associate Kurien to fire salvos at Chandy.

“Antony is unhappy at the turn of events. He knows for sure that Chandy has cut Kurien down to size, keeping in mind that Kurien is his (Antony’s) close associate,” said a senior Congress leader on the condition of anonymity. “Chandy seems to never forgive and forget and instead is trying to politically do away with opponents in the party.”

‘No democratic norms followed’
Kochi: Thrikkakara MLA P T Thomas came out in the open against Oommen Chandy, Ramesh Chennithala and M M Hassan, alleging no democratic norms were followed in granting the Rajya Sabha seat to Kerala Congress (M).

‘Opposition by workers natural’
K V Thomas MP termed the opposition raised by the party workers were natural. “The issue should be sorted out and I have communicated with High Command. In an alliance system, all constituents should be treated equally,” he said.

Tough ride ahead for Cong leadership
With Kurien and V M Sudheeran prepared to take on Chandy, Chennithala and Hassan at the meeting and leaders such as K Muraleedharan, K V Thomas, K C Venugopal, Shanimol Usman and P C Chacko expected to up the ante, the party leadership is in for a rough ride

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