The Kerala Congress (M) high-power committee on Friday suspended P.C. George as vice-chairman and member of all party committees, reducing him to the status of a mere member.
This was announced by KC(M) chairman and Finance Minister K.M. Mani soon after the committee meeting at his official residence here. Addressing media persons, Mr. Mani said Mr. George was suspended under Section 28 (i) of his party’s constitution which empowered the party chairman to initiate disciplinary action against any member, subject to ratification by the steering committee within a period of 60 days.
Mr. Mani said the meeting felt strong action should be taken against Mr. George, who had persistently ridiculed the party and UDF leadership, not to mention his functioning styles that violated the party policies and decisions. A decision on Mr. George’s replacement would be taken at a steering committee meeting on May 30, he said.
Party sources later clarified that the action against Mr. George had been initiated under the constitution as amended in June 2013 in Kottayam, providing a shape to the party apparatus after the merger of the Kerala Congress (J). “This was the quickest and easiest way in which the party could take action against Mr. George, subject to an inquiry and ratification by the steering committee,” KC(M) general secretary Joseph M. Puthussery said.
Mr. George, however, challenged the action stating that the party chairman did not have the power to do so under the constitution.
Quoting another clause at a press conference in Kottayam, he said only the State Secretariat had the power to take action against a member who holds a higher position. He also questioned the dual positions Mr. Mani held as party chairman and Minister, which he said was against the party bylaws. He may move the High Court challenging this, he said.
Mr. Mani’s moves appear to be deft, a continuation of what he had set out to do by stripping Mr. George of his coveted Government Chief Whip’s post, with a Cabinet rank. Each of these moves was clearly indented to tether Mr. George to the provisions of the anti-defection laws and prevent him from leaving the party.
The decision to retain him as an ordinary member would also force him to obey the whip that the KC(M) might issue in future. Violating the whip might cost him his membership of the Assembly. Mr. Mani’s action has been so pervasive that Mr. George’s is finding it difficult to openly associate himself with his motley Kerala Congress (Socialist) which was revived by some of his supporters, led by T.S. John.
The next round of tussle, it seems, might revolve around the interpretation of the party constitution, something which might find its way into the court. Mr. George has already laid out his plan to counter Mr. Mani’s moves to pin him down on the anti-defection laws.