BJP at a Congress institute? Kerala political row erupts as KPCC orders probe

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has ordered a probe after a BJP study camp was held at the Congress-run Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Development Studies, triggering criticism from party workers and political rivals.

A political controversy has erupted in Kerala after a two-day study camp organised by the BJP was held at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Development Studies, a Congress-run institution at Neyyar Dam.

The programme, conducted on June 27 and 28 by the BJP's Kattakkada Assembly constituency committee, has drawn criticism from Congress workers, who questioned how a party institution established to promote Congress ideology could be used for a BJP event.

The camp was inaugurated by BJP state vice-president and former IPS officer R. Sreelekha.

KPCC seeks explanation

Following protests from party workers, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has sought an explanation from the officials responsible for managing the institute.

The party leadership is examining whether the decision to rent out the premises was taken without approval and whether any procedural violations occurred. Party sources indicated that disciplinary action could follow after the explanation is reviewed.

Officials at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Development Studies defended the decision, stating that the institute's hall is regularly rented out to various organisations regardless of their political affiliation.

According to the management, the BJP booking was processed in line with the institute's existing policy of hiring out its facilities and was not treated differently from other bookings.

About the institute

The Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Development Studies was established during the tenure of former KPCC president and current Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala. It serves as the Congress party's centre for research, policy development and political education in the state.

Modelled on the CPI(M)'s EMS Academy, the institute has hosted Congress leadership meetings, training camps, seminars, strategy sessions and organisational programmes over the years.

It also served as the venue for the semi-cadre training initiative introduced during the tenure of former KPCC president K. Sudhakaran and discussions related to the formation of Congress Unit Committees.

The institute's chairperson is the sitting KPCC president, a position currently held by Sunny Joseph.

The controversy has also prompted a political response from the ruling CPI(M), which alleged that the incident reflected a "tacit understanding" between the Congress and the BJP.

The Congress leadership has not commented on the allegation, while the KPCC's internal inquiry into the incident is underway.