Thiruvananthapuram: A day after the war of words set off the explosion in Congress, AICC leadership has taken serious note of the infighting and directed its members not to speak in public about party issues.
On the occasion of the 131st anniversary of the birth of Congress (KPCC formation day), pradesh president V. M. Sudheeran pleaded with party workers to remain united. However, former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy found merit in Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala’s statement that he saw Congress MLA K. Muraleedharan’s comment abut an inactive Opposition in a constructive manner. But Mr Chandy reiterated the ‘A’ group’s demand for organizational elections.
Senior Congress leader A. K. Antony reacted in New Delhi that he was deeply pained at developments back home and hoped it would be resolved at the earliest.
“I hope it would be a great year for Congress in the State. Leaders should work toward this and not indulge in unwanted controversies”, said Antony.
Later, AICC general secretary in charge of the State, Mr Mukul Wasnik, forbid Congress leaders from public utterances on party issues. The warning came after a tussle at the Kollam DCC office when former party spokesperson Rajmohan Unnithan was heckled, allegedly by Muraleedharan supporters, as he arrived to take part in a party meeting.
“They can do it at party forums only and anyone violating this would have to face strong action”, Mr Wasnik told reporters.
The latest bout in the State unit of Congress stems from the perceived slight by Chandy’s ‘A’ group in the selection of DCC presidents. Chennithala and Sudheeran supporters walked away with more berths.
It was at this juncture Mr Chandy roped in Muraleedharan and came down heavily against Chennithala’s style of functioning as Opposition Leader. Though Mr Chennithala took the criticism in his stride, a prominent Congress leader told DC that he met Mr Muraleedharan late on Tuesday night to reconcile their differences.
