Thiruvananthapuram, 19 April (H.S.):Fresh signs of factionalism have surfaced within the Kerala unit of the Congress after senior leader K. Sudhakaran publicly backed K. C. Venugopal for the Chief Minister’s post, allegedly in defiance of the party’s state leadership line.
Sudhakaran’s repeated statements endorsing Venugopal have triggered discontent within sections of the party, with some leaders now considering lodging a formal complaint with the high command. The disquiet has been compounded by what critics describe as the central leadership’s “silence” on the issue, which they believe is emboldening public posturing on leadership matters.
Speaking to the media, Sudhakaran revealed that he had recently met Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge inside Parliament and conveyed his view that Venugopal should be the party’s Chief Ministerial face in Kerala if the United Democratic Front (UDF) comes to power. He also expressed satisfaction over the meeting, indicating that his stance had been clearly communicated at the highest level.
Sudhakaran, who had earlier supported Ramesh Chennithala citing his administrative experience, signalled a shift in position by arguing that Kerala now requires “dynamic and energetic leadership.” According to him, Venugopal embodies the decisiveness and agility needed to lead the state in the current political climate.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Chennithala, too, raised the Chief Ministerial question during his recent interactions with the party’s central leadership, underscoring the growing internal debate over leadership in the run-up to the Assembly elections.
In contrast, the camp led by Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan has adopted a cautious approach, maintaining that there should be no lobbying for the Chief Minister’s post at this stage. Sources indicate that Satheesan prefers to stay away from the ongoing discussions, projecting a stance of restraint.
However, there is speculation within party circles that Satheesan is confident his name would be proposed by allies if the UDF secures a majority. The emerging three-way undercurrent between Sudhakaran, Chennithala, and Satheesan camps points to an intensifying power struggle within the Congress in Kerala, even as the party seeks to present a united front ahead of crucial electoral battles.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
