Congress Workers In Kerala Rally Across Many Districts Demanding Satheeshan As CM, Despite PCC Warning

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Hundreds of Congress workers held processions in many parts of Kerala, including Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malapppuram and Kozhikode, demanding that V. D. Satheeshan be appointed chief minister to honour the mandate of the people of Kerala.

A large procession was taken out to the state secretariat here by Satheeshan’s supporters, carrying huge banners, posters, and placards. Many ordinary party workers, including women, joined the march, shouting slogans in his favor.

The workers said Satheeshan deserved to lead the Congress Legislature Party because of his leadership. “Satheeshan has led the Congress and UDF to victory in all elections since 2021. He fought valiantly against Pinarayi Vijayan and the LDF both within and outside the assembly. People have given a massive mandate to the UDF because of the hard work of Team UDF under Satheeshan,” said a worker, Sreekumar.

In Thrissur, Congress workers gathered in large numbers at Swaraj Ground and held a big procession in support of V. D. Satheeshan. Similar processions were reported from Malappuram. Meanwhile, PCC president Sunny Joseph issued a circular prohibiting processions in support of various leaders. The circular, reportedly issued under AICC’s instructions, directed workers to refrain from processions, carrying posters, or putting up flex boards and banners supporting different leaders for the Chief Minister’s post. The PCC stated that discussions regarding the next CM are taking place in Delhi under the guidance of central leaders and a decision will be made soon. Workers were urged to maintain restraint and wait for the high command’s decision. It also warned that selective processions, posters, or installation of banners and flex boards will be considered gross indiscipline, and strict action will be taken against those participating in such anti-party activities.

However, the circular doesn’t seem to have made much impact, with workers still going ahead with the processions. More such processions are planned in other districts. Huge posters and banners have appeared across various parts of the state, mainly for Satheeshan and K C Venugopal.

With reports suggesting that a majority of 63 Congress MLAs have backed Venugopal for the post of Chief Minister during their interaction with central observers Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken, the V D Satheeshan camp has stepped up activities in support of their leader.

"We suspect there’s an attempt from certain quarters to stop Satheeshan from becoming CM. He was the one who took the UDF from 41 to 102 seats," said a worker in Kozhikode.

"We ordinary workers are just sharing our genuine feelings. Satheeshan led the fight against Pinarayi Vijayan for the past five years, and his prediction of over 100 seats came true," said a worker in Thiruvananthapuram.

Satheeshan’s appeal

With the number of processions increasing across the state and hundreds of workers joining these events, V D Satheeshan has issued an appeal asking workers to avoid such gatherings.

In a Facebook post, Satheeshan said, “We have achieved the biggest victory in the history of Congress and UDF with 102 seats. The first phase of electing the Congress Legislature Party leader has been completed, and the AICC is now entering the second phase of the process. These are moments of joy and pride for us, but leaders and workers should avoid doing anything that creates difficulties for the party and the front. We should refrain from holding demonstrations and putting up flex boards. We kindly request our dear Congress-UDF workers to avoid such actions.”