The last thing the Congress in Kerala needs is a new group in the already faction-ridden party.
Nevertheless, the fear of an emergent bloc allegedly under the leadership of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president and MP K. Sudhakaran and Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan has reportedly impelled the traditional ‘A’ and ‘I’ groups in the party to strike a tactical alliance.
Both blocs appeared aggrieved that the “new faction” had weaponised the party’s reorganisation drive to whittle down their organisational influence from the block president level and upwards and plant its loyalists in key positions instead.
‘A’ and ‘I’ leaders publicly complained that the current disposition arbitrarily reorganised the party and violated the consensus approach mandated by the KPCC’s leadership conclave held in Wayanad. Their statements cast the “new divisions” within the Congress into sharp relief.
Diverse interests
The ‘A’ and ‘I’ factions alleged that the Congress in Kerala had ceased to be an expansive umbrella that traditionally accommodated diverse interests under the same canopy.
Top ‘A’ group leaders met their ailing helmsman and former CM Oomen Chandy in Bengaluru, triggering speculation that a realignment of groups, albeit temporarily, was in the offing. The delegation included veteran leader K.C. Joseph, UDF convener M.M. Hassan and Benny Behanan, MP.
A party insider said the current feuding might be transient and back-door negotiations were on at the AICC level. He said the success in containing severe factionalism in Karnataka had imbued the national leadership with a renewed confidence, and they reportedly feel they could bargain with regional factions in Kerala from a position of strength.
A party insider said the current feuding might be transient and back-door negotiations were on at the AICC level
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