Rumblings in Palakkad unit

Subcommittee report on Veerendrakumar’s defeat

Resentment is brewing among Congress leaders in Palakkad district over the report prepared by the United Democratic Front (UDF) subcommittee which looked into the defeat of M.P. Veerendrakumar in the Palakkad Lok Sabha constituency.

Congress leaders said it was prepared in haste without looking at the reality. District Congress Committee (DCC) president C.V. Balachandran, camping in Thiruvananthapuram to attend a Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) general body meeting, was reportedly looking at all options including resignation from the party post. His name had figured on the list of senior leaders found responsible for the debacle.

Though he was tight-lipped when contacted by

The Hindu , leaders close to him said he had conveyed the decision to quit the party post to the KPCC leadership. He said he was not responsible for the defeat Mr. Veerendrakumar met at the hands of CPI(M) candidate M.B. Rajesh.

Mr. Balachandran said Mr. Veerendrakumar was a new face to the ordinary electorate of Palakkad, comprising Dailits, tribespeople, and backward segments. Also, his election symbol, the ring, was introduced to the electorate very late. The electorate was unsure whether Mr. Veerendrakumar was a UDF candidate, he said.

“Before taking a decision, I will consult the KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy,” he said.

Strained relationship

The report had mentioned the names of a few Congress leaders ‘who had worked against the UDF candidate.’ This had strained the relationship between the UDF leadership and the Janata Dal (United), which demanded action against such leaders.

District Congress leaders said they would respond severely if the State leaders took unilateral decisions on the issue.

KPCC secretary C. Chandran, another leader ‘held responsible’ by the committee, said he was under medical treatment and would respond soon. R. Balakrishnapillai, who headed the subcommittee, was not even ready to give a patient hearing, he said.

DCC president camping in capital

State leadership urged not to take unilateral decisions