THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After a three-year stint as the KPCC president, V M Sudheeran on Friday took everyone by surprise announcing his resignation from the top post. The reason: Serious health issues aggravated by a fall while attending a party function in Kozhikode recently. Sudheeran said issues within the party had no role in him arriving at the decision. The 67-year-old Congress leader said the resignation letter would be sent to the AICC president soon.
“The party is going through a demanding phase, championing the cause of common man and fighting against the anti-people policies of the state and Central governments. It is impossible to stay away from the struggle against this, even for a day. Anarchy is prevailing in the state. My ribs were damaged during a recent fall and doctors have prescribed a long spell of rest for natural healing. At the moment, I cannot live up to the expectations of the party and supporters or oversee the reconstitution of the party’s grassroots committees - essential to make the organisation more vibrant.
I cannot do justice to the post of KPCC president with my present health status. I did justice to whatever positions I had held and remained active. I cannot do it now,” he said. Sudheeran said he hadn’t discussed his decision to step down with any of his colleagues, acting on his own volition. “I could have gone on leave or given temporary charge to some senior office-bearer. But it is against my conscience. My commitment to the well being of the party is above my personal interests.
New challenges are arising every day in the state due to the misrule of the LDF Government and the policies of the BJP Government at the Centre have added to it. I cannot keep myself away from discharging duties while being the KPCC president,” he said. “AICC will make alternative arrangements. A new president will be announced soon,” he said. Sudheeran thanked party workers, media, senior leader A K Antony, AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi and other leaders for their “valuable support.”