Wayanad: Senior Congress leader ND Appachan has resigned as president of the Wayanad District Congress Committee following escalating factional fights and allegations among local leaders. The party leadership had earlier decided to remove him and pressed for his resignation.

The district unit has been rocked by a series of crises, including the suicide of local Congress leaders and a DCC office-bearer, which deepened organisational rifts. The suicide of a panchayat member occurred while Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi was touring her constituency for two weeks, and was soon followed by the suicide attempt of DCC treasurer NM Vijayan’s daughter-in-law.

The developments drew sharp criticism from the party high command and others, who demanded changes in the district leadership. Appachan’s resignation comes just days after Priyanka Gandhi’s return from her constituency visit.

Meanwhile, the Congress hopes tensions will ease after the KPCC settled a loan in Vijayan’s name at Bathery Urban Bank.