Rat race for Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee post upsets AICC

Thiruvananthapuram: The power-struggle in the state Congress in the wake of the resignation of PCC president V.M. Sudheeran has dismayed the AICC leadership, including CWC member  A.K. Antony.  Several aspirants have openly staked their claim to the post  bringing to the fore the disunity in the party and prompting Mr Antony to decry the  race. The AICC wishes  to choose the new PCC president after  reaching a consensus among various groups in the party. Those who have already signalled  their readiness to run for the post are  Mr P. T. Thomas MLA , former Kannur MP Mr. K. Sudhakaran,   KPCC vice- president Laly Vincent,  Mr  K. C. Venugopal and  Mr Kodikunnil Suresh, MPs, and Mr P. C. Chacko.

Mr  Thiruvanachoor Radhakrishnan MLA expressed support to former chief minister  Oommen Chandy indicating the stand of the  ‘A’ group.   Though Mr K. Muraleedharan MLA said  on Sunday that he was  not an aspirant,   his detractors believe that it was  a ploy to mislead them. Mr.  P.T. Thomas,  who earlier belonged to the ‘A’ camp,  had recently cozied up to  KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran leaving Mr Chandy red- faced. Mr K. V. Thomas MP,  who was in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday,  sought the support of Mr Chandy, Opposition Leader  Ramesh Chennithala and Mr K. Muraleedharan for the post. 

However, it is learnt that  Congress president Sonia Gandhi has approved a fourth term for Mr Thomas as chairman of the public accounts committee, ruling out his  chances to head the state party.   “A consensus can be reached  if the AICC leaders  initiate discussions  with the political affairs committee members, senior leaders, former KPCC presidents and MPs. This will help the new president to get  the support of all  party men.  A generation shift should be initiated at this juncture,”  said a senior Congress leader.