THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mr Oommen Chandy has antagonised not only the loyalist youth MLAs but also Mr Mukul Wasnik, AICC general secretary in-charge of the state, by giving away the Rajya Sabha seat to the Kerala Congress (M). Though Mr Chandy has secured the backing of party president Rahul Gandhi for the decision, Mr Chandy’s supporters in the party feel let down as he depended solely on the advice of Muslim League leader P. K. Kunhalikutty. Mr Wasnik, 58, who has been holding charge of the state for the last five years, is no admirer of the youth leaders here.
He had told a group of Congress leaders from Kerala the other day how the youth MLAs had not done anything to strengthen the party, but only raised their voice for their own sake. But Mr Wasnik was caught off guard when the trio - Oommen Chandy, P. K. Kunhalikutty and Ramesh Chennithala-- sought the permission of Mr Rahul Gandhi for handing over the RS seat to the KC (M). "Wasnik was upset with Chandy and the other leaders as he was in the dark about their plans. The AICC leadership was forced to agree to their demand," said a leader close to Mr Wasnik.
The AICC was flooded with complaints about the decision following which Mr Rahul Gandhi sought an explanation from the KPCC leadership. Reports from Delhi say that Mr Wasnik could not overcome the ‘pressure politics’ of Mr Chandy. He had faced a similar situation when DCC presidents were appointed and Mr Chandy went into a ‘non-cooperation’ mood a few months ago. Mr Chandy's supporters feel hurt over his hasty action. A top 'A' group leader told DC that Mr Chandy could have executed his strategy in a better way. "It was a secret deal hatched by Chandy. Why did he tag along Kunhalikutty as a moderator? We fail to understand the secrecy behind the deal," he said.
