AICC General Secretary Deepa Dasmunshi consults KPCC leadership regarding change of guard
Thiruvananthapuram: AICC General Secretary Deepa Dasmunshi has begun gathering opinions from key Congress leaders in Kerala regarding a potential change in the leadership of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). The discussions are based on input from the Political Affairs Committee and party leaders.
On Monday, prominent Congress leaders, including Ramesh Chennithala, M M Hassan, Benny Behanan, Sunny Joseph and Mathew Kuzhalnadan, met with Deepa Dasmunshi to discuss the issue. Opposition Leader V D Satheesan also spoke with her. Some leaders suggested that any decision should be made with the full confidence of KPCC President K Sudhakaran, while others proposed that a new leader should be chosen who can work in coordination with the Opposition Leader. These discussions are expected to continue in the coming days.
Postponed joint press conference highlights leadership tensions
In a sign of growing differences within the state leadership, a planned joint press conference on Monday featuring KPCC President K Sudhakaran and Opposition Leader VD Satheesan, with Deepa Dasmunshi in attendance, was postponed. Deepa had suggested holding the press conference to dispel rumours of a rift between the two leaders, but the plan was cancelled after leaders disagreed. The official explanation given was that the event was postponed due to a car accident involving AICC Secretary P V Mohanan in Kochi, which required the presence of Sudhakaran and others.
Internal clashes, criticism within party
Tensions also flared during a meeting of the Political Affairs Committee on Sunday. The clash was sparked by Satheesan's remark that there was a possibility of winning over forty additional assembly constituencies, beyond the current seats, and that people are appointed to oversee them. A P Anilkumar objected, questioning the forum in which this matter had been discussed. Satheesan responded that the criticism came without understanding the sincerity of the efforts being made.
Amid growing accusations, Deepa Dasmunshi expressed her willingness to step down if she could not unite the party, adding that her primary goal was to bring everyone together.
Shafi Parambil raised concerns about what he described as a ‘leadership liability’ within the party. This accusation further intensified internal discussions, with Deepa expressing her dissatisfaction over criticisms aimed at Rahul Mankootathil’s diminishing influence in the Youth Congress leadership.