KOCHI: Entry into the Congress fold in Kerala has always been through student politics or through the rungs of the party’s youth wing. However, it seems the party is all set to break new ground by wooing ‘professional blood’ to the organisation via the All India Professionals’ Congress (AIPC), a newly-launched feeder organisation of the party headed by Shashi Tharoor MP.In Kerala, the AICC leadership has appointed Mathew Kuzhalnadan, a Supreme Court lawyer, and a PhD holder in International Trade Law from JNU and former general secretary of Indian Youth Congress, as president of the AIPC Kerala Chapter.
Rajan George, a marketing professional and a business consultant, is its treasurer while Sudheer Mohan, a techie with a leading IT firm, has been appointed the general secretary. Not just in Kerala, Malayalees who’ve made it big have also been handpicked for key AIPC posts in other states.
For instance, Mathew Antony, MD and vice-chairman of the Mumbai-based INDASDA group, a leading security service provider, is the AIPC Maharashtra chapter general secretary.
“The AIPC, a brainchild of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, has been entrusted with identifying and selecting professional youths to the organisation which is readying for a generational shift,” said Kuzhalnadan, who is also a partner of KMNP Law, a New-Delhi based law firm with branches in Bengaluru, Kochi and Singapore.
The AICC launched the new outfit to bring in professionals in the backdrop of a political scenario which requires explaining to the masses in a simple language the implications of GST, demonetisation and other reform measures of the Narendra Modi-led BJP Government and for campaigning for the upcoming elections, he said.
“The AIPC’s prime objective is to use professional expertise in policymaking rather than political activities. We target talented professionals who are not interested in full-time politics, but can politically influence a section of society. Nowadays, parties are hiring professionals who have no political background and awarding them parliamentary and administrative posts. In this scenario, why can’t we have a platform for professionals to further our ideologies,” asked Kuzhalnadan.
Going further, the Kerala Chapter eyes doctors, teachers, lawyers and CA, IT and engineering professionals to be part of the new outfit. “Currently, there are major hiccups for educated people to take part freely in political activity and policy building initiatives. The AIPC is a visionary step by the Congress to bring leadership talent to the forefront,” said another office-bearer on condition of anonymity.
According to Kuzhalnadan the concept of full-time politics is gradually changing.
“Many professionals have their own views, but do not have a platform to speak out. The AIPC is an ‘avenue’ for sharing their views. We are focusing on policymaking rather than politics,” he said. The AIPC also plans to constitute an efficient social media team for its state chapter.