THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The appointment of Krishnan Sreenivasan as the AICC secretary in charge of Telangana is a shrewd political move by Congress supremo Rahul Gandhi since it will open the floodgates for professionals’ entry into the party. An IIM Bangalore and NIT Kozhikode alumnus, Sreenivasan is a former Indian Information Service officer.
A professional with such a background coming to the Congress fold is seen by many as a deft move to increase the Congress’ intellectual wing and thereby increase the party’s credibility. With the party gearing up for the LS polls due next year, the Congress president, it is learnt, wants to have professionals in his team so as to get an exact feedback of the emerging political scenario in the country. By roping in someone like Sreenivasan, it will be a motivation for several professionals to come to the party fold.
Sreenivasan told Express, “Professionals are needed in the present-day political process and my priority will be to streamline the party machinery in Telangana. I was not air dropped into the party as I have been associated with the Congress for the past 20 years and I will work to my optimum potential for the party’s advancement.”
During, the late, K Karunakaran’s stint during 1995-96 as Union Industries Minister in the- then Naramsimha Rao Cabinet , Sreenivasan had served as the Officer on Special duty(OSD). It helped Sreenivasan to develop good vibes with both Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra. He has always been in the good books of the Congress’ first family while keeping a low profile. Though he had good contacts in the Congress, Sreenivasan had his foot firmly placed on the ground and it is this which got him the prized posting of the Congress point man for Telangana.
Meanwhile, senior state Congress leaders were aghast at the AICC’s decision. One of the party’s most senior leaders, who refused to mince words, on condition of anonymity told Express, “This can never be accepted. If the AICC wanted to accommodate such people by awarding them crucial posts, they should have been included in some cells and not elevated suddenly as AICC secretary. The AICC’s image has been dented as a result.”
Another senior leader, who asked not to be named, said, “This is a bad decision. How can this person without grassroots experience be given such a crucial post and also put in charge of an entire state?”
Nonetheless, the infusion of fresh blood into the Congress is seen as a major shift in the party’s positioning and the professional expertise of persons like Sreenivasan may prove advantageous to the party in formulating people-friendly policies and programmes.