New factional battle lines emerge in Congress hours after nomination of Kerala CM

New factional battle lines seemed to emerge in the Congress in Kerala, hours after the party’s high command designated former Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan as Kerala’s Chief Minister-designate on Thursday. 

Senior leader and MLA-designate Ramesh Chennithala left his home in Thiruvananthapuram, sparking speculation that he may boycott the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting at the Kerala Legislative Assembly complex later in the day. Mr. Chennithala’s ‘loyalist’ and MLA-designate Jyothikumar Chamakala told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that the leader was not at home. He demurred when asked whether Mr. Chennithala would attend the CPP meeting or join the United Democratic Front (UDF) Cabinet. Mr. Chamakala was with Mr. Chennithala, along with MLAs-elect Anwar Sadat and T.J. Vinod, when the All India Congress Committee (AICC)’s announcement nominating Mr. Satheesan as Chief Minister broke on television news channels. 

An hour later, the general secretary of the Nair Services Society (NSS) G. Sukumaran Nair slammed the Congress high command for ‘capitulating’ to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) by choosing Mr. Satheesan as the Chief Minister candidate. 

‘Murdered democracy’

Addressing a press conference at the NSS headquarters at Perunna in Kottayam, Mr. Nair said he was not questioning Mr. Satheesan’s eligibility for the top post. “However, the high command broke convention and murdered democracy by overlooking the opinion of MLAs-elect and also the seniority of Mr. Chennithala. Its capitulation to the IUML is pathetic,” he said. 

When asked about Mr. Chennithala’s had decision to keep off the CPP meeting chaired by Mr. Satheesan, Mr. Nair replied: “He might have left because of the pathetic backsliding of Congress values. No Congress worker would go along with the decision. More would follow suit,” he said. 

Mr. Nair also reminded the IUML and “other Congress allies” that people of “different communities” voted for them. He expressed scepticism that the IUML would “abide by social justice” if the party were to get the education portfolio. “There is nothing wrong with communities watching out for themselves. However, the League takes it a step further,” he added. 

Vellappally’s stance

SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan said Mr. Chennithala, given his seniority and experience, had expected the high command to elevate him to the post of Chief Minister. “It’s only natural that he is disappointed. Mr. Natesan portrayed Mr. Venugopal as the architect of the UDF’s win. “He filled the election war chest and led the campaign from behind the scenes. Perhaps, the MP’s post had hampered Mr. Venugopal’s chances,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Congress leader and Mr. Venugopal’s ‘loyalist’ Pazhakulam Madhu told reporters that the AICC general secretary was the victim of a character assassination campaign, and “manufactured public opinion” might have informed the high command’s decision.