THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With Chief Minister V D Satheesan’s style of functioning drawing criticism from within the Congress, the party’s high command is poised to intervene, ending its hands-off approach during the new government’s honeymoon period.
A day after senior leader and UDF convener Adoor Prakash publicly criticised the chief minister, influential AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said on Friday that the party’s central leadership would step in to resolve their differences.
“The party has a mechanism to discuss and resolve internal issues. Differences of opinion will be settled through dialogue. The party leadership will take the lead in resolving them, no doubt,” he told reporters.
However, visibly irked by media reports suggesting that Prakash had acted at his behest, Venugopal treaded cautiously, seeking to distance himself from the controversy while faulting the UDF convener for going public. “Some people want to portray me as being on the wrong side of every issue. I haven’t done anything, not even made a remark, against this government. Why link me to someone’s personal opinions?” he asked.
Prakash, however, remained defiant despite the lack of public support from allies and criticism from Venugopal and other leaders.
AICC will decide, says Sunny Joseph
“I’m not disappointed. There may not be public responses, but leaders from my party and the allies who share my feelings have called and expressed solidarity,” he told TNIE. He declined to explain why he chose to air his grievances at a press conference instead of taking them directly to AICC. “There is a reason, but the time has not come to reveal it,” he said.
While leaders such as A P Anilkumar and Rajmohan Unnithan criticised Prakash for going public, KPCC president Sunny Joseph struck a more measured note, saying the AICC would take an appropriate decision.
He said Satheesan consulted him on matters in his capacity as KPCC president and that he kept Prakash informed. IUML general secretary and minister P K Kunhalikutty, in the presence of party state president Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal, said bilateral discussions were held regularly with coalition partners. Referring to a recent appointment, Kunhalikutty said, “One has been finalised, and there are more to boards and corporations. The complaints will end once these decisions are taken.”
Kerala Congress, the third-largest party in the front, called for consultations and discussions within the UDF. Its leader and minister Mons Joseph also sought a speedy decision on an “honourable recognition” for party chairman P J Joseph.
RSP leader Shibu Baby John declined to comment on the developments. “Matters that need to be raised in the UDF will be raised there. We will not make public statements,” he said.
Satheesan, meanwhile, is reportedly adopting a wait-and-watch approach. His camp is pleased with the soft stand taken by the major allies and hopes the high command will take the IUML’s views seriously, a source said.