Kerala Congress (M), which is yet to recover from the scars it suffered following the corruption charges in the bar licence issue, appears to be moving towards a consensus not to ruffle the Congress feathers by a public announcement of any damaging findings by the seven-member committee it had entrusted with an inquiry into the forces behind the controversy.
Though the committee held a session on Sunday, it has not come out with any announcement on their findings. In fact, the meeting of the steering committee of the party held in the evening concluded in a huff after discussing issues such as the continuing crisis in the natural rubber and paddy sector and a decision to chart out steps to invigorate the organisation in the run up to the ensuing local body elections. It was decided to discuss major political issues at a day session in future, the date of which has not been fixed.
According to sources, the dominant feeling was that time was not proper to instigate the Congress at this juncture, though Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was found himself on his back-foot following the new developments in the palmolein case. The party stoutly believe that its chairman K.M. Mani was made a scapegoat in the Congress infighting. The committee had earlier made a public announcement that they believe there was a conspiracy behind the allegations, but did not go into the details.
In spite of the anger within, the KC(M) leadership is fully aware of their limitations when the Congress leadership, especially Mr. Chandy and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, have joined hands.
On the other hand, they are not charmed by KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran either. Hence, the decision not to make any public announcement about the findings of the inquiry now.
