THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Various factions have reared their head with renewed vigour in the Congress state unit once again,despite a stay issued by the munsif court here the other day,indicating that the trumpeted revamp in the organisation will not bring any cardinal changes or break new ground and party satraps will continue to call the shots . Former Union Minister Sudarshan Nachiappan,who is the returning officer to the elections,is into an all-out bid to finish his job,at least for the first phase of selecting 280 members to the KPCC, two each from every block committee and 35 AICC members.He is expected to reach the state once again early next week.
After wide-ranging consultations with various leaders last week,Nachiappan is understood to have taken a route to prevail upon Congress leaders,’ mainly former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala holding the banner of ‘A’ and ‘I’ groups,to reach a consensus and come up with choices for the KPCC and AICC. The nominees of V M Sudheeran and a few other heavyweights will also make their way to the list ,subject to a general consensus including bringing in more youngsters and women in the band. Representation for scheduled castes will also be maintained.
‘’Whatever remaining at present with different stake-holders will be continued. None will loose anything,’ Chandy,who had consultations with Nachiappan, told Express. He was closeted with his close associates in the party prior to and after the consultations. Ramesh too had discussions with the poll returning officer. He also veered to the idea of a consensus and status quo in sharing the seats,it is understood. Chandy had favored the conduct of a poll mode wherein those who secured a given share of votes will get a commonsense post in the party.He has yielded to the majority thinking of holding the polls with consensus candidates,but insists that formal polls should be held at any cost.
A consensus not to bring in existing DCC members to the KPCC has been arrived at the level of the main factions.As things stand,the ‘A’ group is poised to pick up the KPCC president’s post. However, will the party High Command come up with other names is also keenly watched.But with bells ringing for Rahul Gandhi to become the national president of the Congress in mid-October, the prime concern of the returning officer is to take the consensus-based list of KPCC and AICC members to the Congress High Command as soon as possible,ready to facilitate a voter’s list for the election of the national president. The election of DCC members and KPCC office-bearers, including a likely new President will be taken up only after the anointment of RaGa as Congress national president,according to the ongoing plan. As such,the lobbying for KPCC and DCC office-bearer ships will continue.
For sure,I’ll not become KPCC president: Chandy
Meanwhile,Oommen Chandy has once again shot down the idea of ‘A’ group votaries for taking over as the KPCC president.He had opened up his mind to the poll returning officer also.Chandy has also sternly asked his men not to float the idea of his becoming the KPCC president anymore, in any forums.’’Only one thing is guaranteed. I’ll not become the KPCC president,’’ Chandy told Express,confirming the message given to his group.However, on the choice of the ‘A’ faction for the KPCC president,Chandy was non-committal. “All such things will come up later on only,’’ he maintained. There are many aspirants for the plum post in the faction and the interesting aspect is all of them are those who had never defected from the ‘A’ faction and remained loyal to Chandy always.
A consensus not to bring in existing DCC members to the KPCC has been arrived at the level of the main factions.As things stand,the ‘A’ group is poised to pick up the KPCC president’s post