Why should Surendran be afraid of a flex board, asks Sandeep Varier

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress leader Sandeep Varier took a jab at the BJP, pointing out their recurring internal conflicts in areas where they hold power in local governing bodies. He specifically referred to the infighting within the BJP in Pandalam municipality, where C. Krishnakumar, who had contested as the BJP candidate in the Palakkad by-election, was reportedly in charge.

"Since it is Krishnakumar managing the affairs in Pandalam, the ongoing issues there are unsurprising," remarked Sandeep Varier.

Previously dismissed by BJP leaders as "a mere regional leader, inconsequential, and one among the 190 members of the state committee," Sandeep questioned why BJP state president K. Surendran and his associates seemed unsettled by him.

"Surendran seems unsure of himself, even frightened by a flex board installed by INTUC workers in Thiruvananthapuram, which was later destroyed by an unidentified group," Sandeep noted.

What Sandeep Varier Said

"While traveling on the Vandebharat Express from Shoranur, I noticed the opposition leader and Shafi Parambil on board. Later, I realised the state president of the BJP, someone I had worked with before, was seated nearby. When I arrived at the railway station yesterday, I saw numerous BJP workers summoned by the state president. Was he so alarmed by a ‘mere regional leader’ like me that he had to gather so many people late at night? I couldn’t understand it," said Varier.

"After seeing me on the train, the state president panicked and called several BJP workers. If he had demonstrated such political acumen during the Palakkad by-election, their defeat might not have been so severe. He remembers his workers only when in trouble; otherwise, he is a leader who pays no attention to anyone. His reaction last night—calling all available BJP workers in Thiruvananthapuram for help—shows just how frightened he was," Sandeep added.

He continued, "Is Surendran afraid of even a flex board? I’m just a regional leader, incapable of much, and merely one of 190 state committee members. So why is he and his group so fearful of me? I find it puzzling. But perhaps, that fear is good."

Sandeep also blamed Krishnakumar for the issues plaguing the Pandalam municipality. "The problems in Pandalam are natural, considering the person responsible for the area also contested the elections in Palakkad," he remarked.