KPCC backs Tharoor, raps AK Mani

Thiruvananthapuram: KPCC president M. M. Hassan has sought an explanation from vice-president A. K. Mani for trying to prevent the visit of senior Congress leaders to Munnar during the anti-encroachment drive.  

The decision was taken at the KPCC  executive meeting held at Indira Bhavan on Wednesday.

The KPCC also rallied behind Mr Shashi Tharoor MP in the case on the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar.  Mr Mani, a dalit Congress leader hailing  from Idukki,  had played spoilsport when Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala and former chief minister Oommen Chandy had visited Munnar.

Former AICC secretary Shanimol Usman and former Kannur MP K. Sudhaakran had demanded action against him at the political affairs committee meeting on Tuesday.

Mr Hassan also presented a resolution condemning the action of  a television channel maligning   Mr  Shashi Tharoor.

Prior to the executive meeting, a meeting with DCC presidents and KPCC office-bearers was also held when AICC general secretary Mukul Wasnik  and secretary Dipak Babaria were present.  

Mr Mukul Wasnik who convened a meeting of the Congress MLAs at Indira Bhavan decided to go ahead with the organisational elections.

The Congress leaders will go on a  campaign to rope in new members to the party on the death anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi being commemorated as Sadbhavana Diwas on May 21, it was decided in the executive meeting.

“The scrutiny will be completed on May 27 and the final list will be announced on May 30,” said Mr Hassan.

The elections of mandalam committees will be held in August, KPCC  in September and AICC in October.