Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress Legislative Party (CLP) on Sunday elected former home minister Ramesh Chennithala as the new Opposition Leader. The decision which returns the CLP leadership to the ‘I’ faction ever since K Karunakaran had been removed from the post in 1995 was announced by Shiela Dixit, one of the three members of the AICC team that supervised the day’s proceedings.
The meeting, however, failed to declare former chief minister Oommen Chandy as the chairman of the UDF. The day which saw high drama began with reports of former KPCC president K. Muraleedharan raising reservations about the state’s leadership to name Mr Chennithala to the post before the legislative party met. He had even shot off a letter in protest against the move to KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran.
Mr Muraleedharan, however, turned up at the meet 45 minutes after it began after Mr Sudheeran insisted on his attendance. Mr Muraleedharan did not attend the meeting of the ‘I’ faction held at Mr Chennithala’s house in the morning, either. Party sources told DC that Mr Chennithala had urged his faction to project his name as the Opposition Leader at the meeting.
The three observers – Sheila Dixit, AICC general secretary Mukul Wasnik and secretary in charge of the State Dipak Babaria – told the MLAs that they wished to talk to the MLAs individually. Accordingly, the three observers noted down their choice on who should be the Opposition Leader and also gave a form to them to write their choice.
“The MLAs again assembled and a unanimous resolution was passed in favour of Mr Chennithala,” a Congress MLA told DC. “Congress president Sonia Gandhi was authorised to announce Mr Chennithala’s name after the three observers spoke to her,”
Accordingly, Mr Chandy proposed the name of Mr Chennithala which was seconded by Adoor Prakash, V. D. Satheeshan and V. T. Balram. An elated Mr Chennithala said a huge responsibility has been bestowed on him. “If I have the support of the Congress and the UDF, I hope I will be able to lead the opposition with ease,” said Mr Chennithala. “I will utilise my potential and do the best.”
Mr Babaria was keen to see that a fresh face who has the potential to revive the party be anointed as the Opposition Leader which he raised it in the meeting. However, the suggestion did not went ahead as all the ‘I’ group leaders rallied behind Mr Chennithala and the ‘A’ group members, who were outnumbered, did not take it up.
