THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The factions in the Congress have put Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president V M Sudheeran on notice thanks to his strident posture against the government on controversial issues. Giving scant regard to the AICC leadership’s diktat against factionalism, a section of the party leaders belonging to the ‘I’ and ‘A’ groups met on Monday and decided to keep Mr Sudheeran on the leash and to checkmate his attempts to get his followers in to the candidates’ list.
KPCC vice-presidents M. M. Hassan and V. D. Satheeshan, forest minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, former Kanur MP K. Sudhakaran, KPCC general secretary Thampanoor Ravi, Thrikkakara MLA Benny Behanan and Muvattupuzha MLA Joseph Vazhakkan reportedly attended the meeting held at Kowdiar House, the official residence of culture minister K. C. Joseph.
The meeting, however, decided not to openly revolt against Mr Sudheeran. A prominent leader who attended the meeting told DC that they have decided to support Mr Sudheeran’s nominee only if he or she has got winning chances.
Mr Sudheeran has been taking a tough stand against the government’s lenient approach towards the owners of Karuna and Hope plantations much to the displeasure of the two factions.
“We decided to swap few seats between the groups so that we don’t lose the chances of winning,” said a Congress leader. Instead of Kayamkulam, ‘A’ group will contest either Udumpanchola or Peerumade seat while Perumbavoor and Vypeen would also be swapped. The meeting also decided not to give away sitting seats.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sudheeran shot off a letter to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and revenue minister Adoor Prakash seeking the withdrawal of controversial orders on Peerumade Hope plantation and granting of puramboke land to a resort in Alappuzha.
Due to Sudheeran's timely intervention, earlier the government had to cancel the controversial order on reclamation of Methran Kaayal and Kadamakudy land issues.
