Thiruvananthapuram, 06 July (H.S.):
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph has distanced himself from public criticism made by KPCC general secretary P.M. Niyas over the appointment of N. Seshadrinathan as the State Election Commissioner, saying that issues concerning the party should be discussed within the organisation rather than aired publicly.
Speaking to reporters, Sunny Joseph said he could not endorse public statements on matters that ought to be debated in internal party forums. His remarks came after Niyas questioned the appointment of Seshadrinathan, alleging that the latter had a Sangh Parivar background and warning that the United Democratic Front (UDF) could pay a heavy political price for the decision.
Responding to the criticism from the KPCC chief, Niyas maintained that he had not publicly attacked the party leadership. He said he was compelled to respond only after the letter he had sent to the leadership became a news story and triggered public reactions.
According to Niyas, he had raised his objections through official party channels by sending his complaint to the KPCC president via email, posting it in the party's WhatsApp group and also communicating it directly. He added that copies of the complaint were shared only with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, AICC general secretary Deepa Das Munshi and members of the Congress Working Committee.
Niyas said the matter first emerged in the media despite being an internal party communication. When the Minister for Local Self-Government publicly responded to the issue and his allegations were, according to him, misrepresented, he felt compelled to clarify his stand before the media.
He also called on the KPCC president to explain whether the appointment of Seshadrinathan had been discussed in the AICC Core Committee or the party's Political Affairs Committee before the decision was taken. Niyas further questioned the Governor's swift online approval of the appointment, saying it had raised doubts, and reiterated that he stood firmly by the concerns he had raised.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
