THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The sulking former Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, had to face some home truths at the KPCC executive here on Saturday as senior leader A.K. Antony said no leader is above the party and leaders should realize they are nothing without the party. Congress leaders had persuaded Mr Antony to address the KPCC’s jumbo executive meet so that it could break the ice between factions. But the executive, held after eight months, had only 200 members out of a total 546 members attending. The thin attendance was a protest against the current KPCC leadership.
“The ground beneath the feet of Congress leaders is slipping; BJP is benefiting. If leaders sulk and do not take an active role in the party, the party will rout”, said Mr Antony. Mr Antony said Congress “does not want leaders who work in the party during day time and take on the garb of RSS at night. Congress leaders believe that this veiled attack was targeted at elements still maintaining close ties with RSS leadership. Mr Antony claimed that the current crop of youth leaders is only interested in issuing statements. “Encourage those who have the guts to question authorities on their face, without being part of a particular coterie”, he said.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and PCC president V.M. Sudheeran sat through, as Mr Antony tore into leadership for their indiscretions, both wilful and casual. He was sore that the principal Opposition had not been able to take on the State Government during the past few months. “Other than Congress, I don’t have space elsewhere. Social and community organisations are beyond my reach. Congress is my life”, said Mr Antony. Former Governor M. M. Jacob did not shy away from criticizing the AICC leadership. Pointing fingers at AICC coordinator and former Tamil Nadu PCC president K.V. Thangabalu, who attended the executive, Mr Jacob said he should first take steps to strengthen the party in his home state.
