Southern States - Kerala   

Congress third group in a spot

By A. Harikumar

ALAPPUZHA April. 22. The third group in the Congress seems to be in a quandary in Alappuzha, the home district of its leader and secretary of the AICC, Ramesh Chennithala, MP, following some of the recent developments.

The lone MLA of the group in the district, K. C. Venugopal, is reportedly having second thoughts on continuing in the group. Some of the other leaders of the group in the district are said to be weighing their options before embarking on any move. The group has four DCC general secretaries, two block Congress committee presidents and five KPCC members in the district.

There are reliable reports that in the recent past, some of them have been developing a rapport with leaders of the three other groups to keep their options open. Group sources evaluate the present situation as a result of the failure of the group leadership to protect the interests of its members.

Meanwhile, political circles here are rife with reports that Mr. Venugopal is headed for the `I' group. At the same time, sources in the `I' group said he had not joined the group. But Mr. Venugopal has made overtures, they confirmed. They said, of late, the MLA was also trying to get close to the Chief Minister, A. K. Antony, and Vayalar Ravi, MP, too.

According to them, Mr. Venugopal is now keeping his cards close to his chest. But he would have to make his stand clear soon, for in Congress politics, it would be too risky to remain without a group, the `I' faction leaders said.

While agreeing with reports that Mr. Venugopal had not been fully active within the group in the recent past, sources close to him said he was still firmly linked with the group.

The `I' group leaders in the district were cautious in their reaction to reports of Mr. Venugopal joining the group. Some of them seemed to be wary of Mr. Venugopal, who has a relatively clean image, emerging as the leader of the group in the district. Though the `I' group has a considerable mass base in Alappuzha, it lacks leaders who could coordinate all sections within the group.

Meanwhile, the office-bearers of the third group in the DCC have not yet revolted openly. But a majority of them are lying low for the moment.They are likely to continue to wear the label of the group for some more time. But any signs of erosion in the group in the district would result in grassroot workers leaving the group en masse, said the sources.

This is because of the feeling among workers that there is no coordination in the group and its leaders are not particular to keep the group identity. It has been pointed out that there is possibility of a considerable section of workers of the group opting for the `I' group as many of them have a tradition of strong opposition to the `A' group in the past.

Some of the middle-level leaders in the group are also likely to seek the patronage of various caste group leaders in an all-out bid to boost their fortunes. It is expected that the disintegration of the group would have an impact on the other groups in the district also.

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