‘Follow party discipline’: KPCC chief asks Congress leaders to avoid making contentious statements in public
Thiruvananthapuram: Amid public disagreements among Congress leaders regarding the functioning of the UDF government, KPCC chief Sunny Joseph issued a stern warning on Monday, advising party leaders to refrain from airing controversial statements in public as it yields no benefit to them or the organisation.
The warning follows criticism from within party ranks over the alleged delay in filing an FIR against CPM veteran Pinarayi Vijayan in the CMRL bribery case, as well as friction arising from UDF convener Adoor Prakash’s public criticism of Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan.
Addressing a press conference, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president urged leaders to maintain organisational discipline.
"I strictly reminded everyone in the party to avoid making controversial remarks in public. Everyone is obligated to follow party discipline. I request the cooperation of all Congress leaders in the matter," Joseph said.
He added that he would refrain from engaging in public spats himself, stating that he will not respond publicly to any such controversial remarks.
Adoor Prakash had previously sparked debate by accusing CM Satheesan of unilaterally making key administrative and policy decisions without consulting alliance partners or leadership. Prakash escalated the grievance by submitting a written complaint to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and seeking central intervention through meetings with AICC general secretary Deepa Dasmunsi and Rahul Gandhi.
Prakash's repeated public remarks drew a response earlier in the day from Health and Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan, who remarked that when an individual continuously targets the Chief Minister, "someone was behind the curtain".
Responding later in the day, Joseph, who also serves as the Electricity Minister, stressed that internal party forums remain the appropriate space for debate.
He noted that grievance forums have met regularly, pointing to recent sessions of the Congress Political Affairs Committee, the KPCC, and District Congress Committees where issues were raised.
"After that, it is not correct for anyone to air their individual views in public. That is what I am saying. Such statements are not beneficial for the party," Joseph emphasized.
He warned that continued public outbursts would force the party leadership to act, noting that such public friction creates anxiety among grassroot party workers and supporters. Joseph indicated he plans to speak directly with the leaders involved, while reiterating that he will not respond publicly to any such controversial remarks.
Defending the administration's stance on the CMRL bribery case involving Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and P.A. Mohamed Riyas, the KPCC chief clarified that the government acted on sound legal advice rather than rushing to file an FIR solely based on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) letter.
He explained that once the Kerala High Court issued specific directions to lodge an FIR, the administration promptly complied, maintaining that the government acted strictly in accordance with the law.
Joseph’s defense addresses internal pushback from Congress leaders—including Muvattupuzha MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan, Kannur MP K. Sudhakaran, and Jinto John—who had openly questioned the decision to order a preliminary enquiry prior to registering an FIR. (PTI)