Ramesh Chennithala dissatisfied with lack of membership in CWC, likely to end Puthuppally campaign

Thiruvananthapuram: Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has expressed his disappointment at not being included on the Congress Working Committee. While Chennithala is a permanent invitee to the CWC, sources close to him highlight that this designation has remained unchanged for 19 years. Chennithala's first association with the working committee dates back to 2004. Meanwhile, MP Shashi Tharoor, a much younger party man compared to Chennithala, found a place in the new committee when party president Mallikarjun Kharge reconstituted it on Sunday.

However, the Haripad MLA refrained from commenting when media persons asked him. Sources suggest that Chennithala, who was engaged in campaigning activities in Puthuppally, will soon conclude his activities there and return.

Chennithala had anticipated a permanent role within the working committee this time around. In the past, Oommen Chandy, AK Antony and KC Venugopal represented Kerala on the committee. This time, Shashi Tharoor has replaced Oommen Chandy, while AK Antony, despite his reduced active involvement due to age, has been retained. KC Venugopal, the general secretary of the Congress organisation, will also continue on the working committee. Notably, Suresh Kodikunnil is a special invitee.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge reconstituted the working committee comprising 39 members, 32 permanent invitees, and 13 special invitees.