Thiruvananthapuram : As season in the buildup to Assembly elections begins, the spectre of infighting is back in Congress. Amid imbroglio of the party’s tie-up with terror outfits, former chief minister Oomen Chandy is privately pushing to oust opposition leader and party veteran Ramesh Chennithala from broader spectrum. The move comes on the back of High Command announcement that the chief ministerial candidate shall be named by it, if party registers majority vote in the state elections.
The strategy played out at UDF demonstrations in front of the Secretariat where, KPCC President Mullappally Ramachandran, following League’s denouncement of him, kept party veteran Ramesh Chennithala out of the event. The demonstration was led by Deputy Opposition Leader MK Muneer. Incidentally, the Muslim League leadership had earlier signaled its decision to sideline Mullappally in days ahead.
All the same, the cocky move by Oomen Chandy has stunned the ‘A’ Group, given that Chennithala has his eyes on the chief ministerial position, should Congress forge victory at elections slated next year.
Interestingly, amid all the gambit, Oomen Chandy voiced his support for Muslim League’s decision to align with Welfare Party. Chandy’s appeasement on the partnership follows Congress candidate’s win to Chairmanship at Ettupettah Corporation election with support from SDPI. The stand thus indicates subtle backing of at least one faction of Congress for Muslim League’s alliance with terror outfits.
Meanwhile, amid escalated row within Kerala Congress, PJ Joseph demanded that UDF take proactive steps in appointing the Kottayam District Panchayat president in line with its earlier decision while Jose K Mani emphasised that KC(M) nominee, who presently holds the post, will not resign it under any circumstance.
