The Kerala Congress (M) on Friday, successfully completed its organisational elections, trimming down many of the party bodies and increasing the strength of certain others, creating a leaner and hopefully a meaner organisational structure in the end.
Speaking to mediapersons after the elections to the various State-level bodies, party chairman K.M. Mani said elections to all the posts were unanimous and party unity was in tact. There has been no change at the top. Mr. Mani will remain party chairman and P.J. Joseph, MLA, its working chairman. C.F. Thomas, MLA, will continue as deputy chairman and Jose K. Mani, MP, the lone vice chairman. Joy Abraham will continue as general secretary in charge of office and Thomas Joseph as treasurer.
The number of general secretaries has been brought down to 25, from the unwieldy 65 while the membership of the high-power committee (HPC) which had an effective strength of 18 (after P.C. George left the party with three HPC members) has been increased to 29. The strength of the steering committee has been put at 111 and that of the State executive at 150. A 450-member State committee has been put in place. An important structural change has been that unlike earlier occasions, only one general secretary would find a place in the steering committee.
Interestingly, even as they effected a major pruning of the various bodies right from the ward level, the party leadership could successfully keep the 2:1 ratio in the bodies which was arrived at the time when the P.J. Joseph faction united with KC(M).
The KC(M) holds organisational elections every three years. This is the second organisational elections after the KC(M)-KC(J) merger.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Mani said any electoral alliance would be formed on the basis of the KC(M) manifesto. He said the Chengannur election was only a byelection and party workers knew whom to vote.
Meanwhile, Mr. Joseph, who was also present, said the issue would be discussed and an understanding would be arrived at on the basis of discussions.
