THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It’s end game for the top honchos of state Congress as V M Sudheeran is all set to launch his Brahmastra - criteria for candidature. And the arena shifts to Delhi. Though KPCC president V M Sudheeran wanted to impose the conditions for candidate selection at the state-level screening itself, the move was strategically nipped by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.
All factions are busy packing arms and arguments for a lavish spread before the High Command. Sudheeran wants two criteria to be followed for candidate selection. Those who have won more than four times should stay away, with a generous exemption to the CM and that tainted leaders should not be fielded. The obvious target - clearfelling of Chandy’s strongmen. This was obvious in bracketing P T Thomas alongside Benny Behanan for Thrikkakara constituency.
Sudheeran’s first criterion will spoil the game for at least half a dozen leaders like Aryadan Mohammed, K C Joseph, Therambil Ramakrishnan, Adoor Prakash and K Babu while his list of black sheep targets Benny Behanan, K Babu, Adoor Prakash and Thampanoor Ravi. Aryadan has already declared he is not game anymore, but would love to pass on the mantle to son Shoukath.
Sudheeran has has been targeting Adoor Prakash and his other baiters over various scams the government found itself in. And Chandy and Co did no service to their factions or the party while gifting land and exemptions with utter contempt for law, as if there was no tomorrow.
With the battle ground shifting to Delhi and the high command coming into the picture, Sudheeran is obviously pinning hopes on the ears of A K Antony and the soft corner of AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi. However the game is going to be close with the leadership left to choose between the clean and futuristic image being projected by their darling Sudheeran and the mass appeal and pragmatism of Chandy, the Chanakya. Ramesh Chennithala has already declared strategic support to Oommen Chandy in a grouping of warring factions against a common foe.
Sudheeran has been getting ready for the battle for a while. His open criticism often stung forcing the government to retract a series of orders. While there was widespread criticism of the way he went public with his letters and condemnation there was an obvious script.
Many in the party see the blessings and soul of A K Antony in the theme. Curtains go up on Monday in Delhi, for the dramatic scenes and climax.