THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Political Affairs Committee meeting held at the KPCC office hereon Wednesday witnessed heated exchanges among senior leaders over the probable list of DCC presidents. Mr Mullapally Ramachandran and KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran engaged in a verbal confrontation. Former chief minister Oommen Chandy and Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala also came under attack from the members.
The meeting which lasted for four-and-a-half hours was convened to decide the DCC presidents' list. But Mr Mullapally Ramachandran said the list prepared by the three leaders cannot be accepted. Usually the 'A' and 'I' factions choose seven DCCs each. Mr Mullapally said merit alone should be the criterion for the new DCC presidents. He said that those who have been defeated in the Assembly elections should be kept out, but the list contained the names of 11 defeated leaders. The argument occurred in front of AICC general secretary and secretary in charge of the state, Mukul Wasnik and Dipak Babaria respectively. "The DCCs are being revamped to strengthen the party. So what's the use of defeated leaders being appointed as DCC presidents," a PAC member told DC.
The two AICC leaders said they would verify the list submitted by the KPCC leadership. "We want to know whether the three of you have been doing the duties entrusted to you by the AICC. We will see whether the list is a planned one or not," said Mr Mukul Wasnik. Hectic parleys took place at Thycaud guest house since morning.
