Kottayam, 10 May (H.S.):Senior Congress leader K.C. Joseph has lodged a complaint with the AICC against fake social media posts allegedly circulated in his name targeting Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal, amid intense discussions within the party over the selection of Kerala’s next Chief Minister.

In a strongly worded statement, K.C. Joseph clarified that he had never made any remarks against Venugopal and described the circulation of fabricated posts as a “cheap” attempt to create divisions within the party and tarnish the image of its leaders before the public.

The controversy erupted after several social media posts claimed that K.C. Joseph had criticised K.C. Venugopal during the ongoing leadership deliberations in the Congress party following the party’s victory in the Kerala Assembly elections. Rejecting the claims outright, Joseph said some of his friends had brought the fake posts to his attention.

He said he would file a complaint with the cyber cell and had already informed the AICC about the matter. “Some fake posts are being circulated against K.C. Venugopal in my name. Friends brought this to my attention. A complaint is being lodged with the cyber cell,” Joseph said in his social media note.

The senior Congress leader further noted that similar fake campaigns were being carried out in the names of several party leaders without their knowledge. He questioned the motives of those behind such activities and said no genuine party worker would attempt to publicly defame the Congress or its leadership.

“Whoever is behind this, it is sheer pettiness. I don’t think anyone who truly loves the party would try to discredit the party and its leaders before society. Nobody should think they can gain anything through such actions,” he said.

Calling the campaign “very cheap,” Joseph asserted that he was fully capable of expressing his own opinions publicly and did not require others to speak on his behalf.

The development comes at a politically sensitive time for the Congress in Kerala, as the party leadership continues consultations in New Delhi over the appointment of the next Chief Minister following the UDF’s sweeping electoral victory.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman