Thiruvananthapuram : K Sudhakaran’s appointment as KPCC president reflects High Command’s supremacy over A-I Groups. However it in no way marks end to groupism plaguing the Congress. In fact, state Congress, is now set to see open confrontations between group patriarchs. The question is, how can K Sudhakaran with his longstanding offensive image, bring about reconciliation – a task that VM Sudheeran and Muallapally Ramachandran failed at miserably.
Interestingly, advocates for generational change at KPCC have forgotten all about it after Sudhakaran’s appointment. One wonders what generational change there is to replacing 70-year-old Mullappally with 67-year-old Sudhakaran? Discontent among groups and ‘ replacing generation’ transpiring into ‘replacing heads’ will escalate frustration within Congress further although, Sudhakaran’s assurance to Rahul Gandhi guaranteed keeping the party unified beyond groups.
The “above group” avatar ushered by High Command, VM Sudheeran, had backed out of his job midway while Mullappally Ramachandran, who came in purely as High Command nominee walked out KPCC door a brokenhearted man. And, how would Sudhakaran tide over groupism when Sudheeran and Mullappally could not?
While appointment of Opposition Leader left Chennithala humiliated, the present KPCC president selection has left Oomen Chandy equally aggrieved. So the biggest headache for Sudhakaran would be to tackle challenges thrown up by the two.
KC Pulled Strings
Oomen Chandy and Chennithala tried their level best to prevent K Sudhakaran from taking the president post. And, though they let on discontent by refusing to name anyone in replacement, the act only served to irk High Command further. Towards the end, though the duo hinted for Kodikunnil Suresh as successor, High Command was now in no mood to heed. Amid all this, KC Venugopal leveraged Oomen Chandy, Chennithala and Mullappally’s silence on the topic.
Leaders Deeply Hurt
Although there is talk of wiping out groupism, that is easier said than done. Left gravely wounded, Chennithala and Oomen Chandy would not to pounce on one another, at least for the time being. They will instead lie low and wait for an opportunity to get even. On the other hand, there is likelihood of a new group emerging around Satheeshan and Sudhakaran or the pair might just choose to fortify a joint defence against the A and I groups.
What Will Happen Of Dreamers Now?
Another of Sudhakaran’s challenge involves dissent from KP Thomas who was removed as KPCC Working President. He was elated to that post during pre-election days following rumours that he was about to quit the party. However, his stint was rather a short-lived one – lesser than 3 months precisely. Blockades to Sudhakaran also comprise prior dreamers - Benny Benhan, PC Vishnunath, Kodikunnil Suresh.
