'Let VDS rule Kerala, let Shafi lead Congress': Defying ban, supporters erect new flex boards

Kochi: Bypassing explicit directives from the Congress leadership, party workers have once again erected flex banners supporting prominent leaders. The latest banners, supporting V D Satheesan and Shafi Parambil, surfaced at Palluruthy in Ernakulam, under the name of the Congress (I) constituency committee.

During the election period, leaders consistently maintained that group rivalries had dissolved and the party stood united as 'Team UDF’. Furthermore, the High Command and senior leadership had issued strict instructions prohibiting the installation of personal flex boards for individual leaders.

Despite these warnings, the new banner appeared near the Veli bus stop in Palluruthy, Kochi. The text on the board reads, “Let VDS rule Kerala, let Shafi lead the Congress — Congress (I) Palluruthy Mandalam Committee.”

Meanwhile, the constituency committee president stated that the banner was not erected with his knowledge. However, he noted that it was likely the work of Congress sympathisers. Observers suggest that the appearance of these boards reflects grassroots frustration over the perceived delay in announcing a Chief Ministerial candidate.