Split wide open in Congress leadership as Opposition Leader stays away from KPCC meetings

Thiruvananthapuram: The rift between KPCC president K Sudhakaran and Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan is deepening in the Congress, even as the party leadership is trying to keep the differences between the two from going too far. 

The leaders, however, are not presenting the differences between the duo in front of the media. K Sudhakaran, meanwhile, responded that as a democratically functioning party, there can be different opinions and they will be considered.

The issue began over the implementation of the decisions of the camp executive which was held in Wayanad recently. Things then went to such an extent that Satheesan even boycotted the camp.

It was then decided to hold the camp executive in every district in the presence of the opposition leader also. However, it is alleged that, instead of this, Satheesan is directly implementing the decisions by excluding the KPCC office bearers in every district.

In the Wayanad camp, a WhatsApp group centered on the office of the Opposition Leader was created to implement the decisions related to the upcoming local body elections. Instructions were also given to the DCC presidents of respective districts through this group. However, KPCC office bearers, who are in charge of the districts, complained in the meeting that they have been removed from this WhatsApp group and other activities. 

As more people raised the issue, KPCC decided to discuss the matter online on Thursday night in the presence of the KPCC president. When the office-bearers called the meeting, there was a lot of criticism against the Opposition Leader. With this, Satheesan backtracked from the camp executive in Thiruvananthapuram at the last moment.
The Opposition Leader complained that the meeting was called without informing him. Satheesan was in the district at that time and participated in other programmes. However, he did not participate in the camp executive. 

Satheesan's current position is that he would participate only after the AICC clarifies on how to implement the decisions of the Wayanad camp.

With the media seeking a stand on the issue, the Opposition Leader criticised the news. He sought to know how the criticisms raised in the KPCC  meeting can be news. There is nothing wrong in criticising. He also pointed out that it would be better if those in the leadership found who leaked what was said and what was not said in the meeting. 

Satheesan said he was not above criticism. No circular has been issued in this regard. He added that if any mistake has been made, it will be corrected.