Congress discontent grows as Kerala CM Satheesan goes solo

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) With Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan completing six months in office on November 18, discontent is brewing within the Congress and its allies in the ruling UDF over what they see as his style of functioning, with key decisions being taken without wider consultations.

The resentment is particularly evident within sections of the Congress, including the erstwhile A faction, which was once the dominant group under the late Oommen Chandy.

At an online meeting of KPCC office-bearers on Friday night, some former A faction leaders openly voiced their unhappiness over what they described as their continued sidelining in the new dispensation.

The immediate trigger was the delay in distributing board and corporation posts, with leaders complaining that the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the second largest UDF ally, appeared to be getting greater consideration than the Congress itself.

Some leaders pointed out that even after six months of the UDF government, the Congress was yet to finalise its nominees, while it was learning about the distribution of posts from the League.

They also questioned why CPI-M leaders continued to occupy positions in various boards and corporations despite the change of government.

The absence of a sense of change at the ground level, they said, was adding to the frustration.

Complaints were also raised that district leaders were not being informed about ministerial visits to their respective areas.

The discontent is not confined to the Congress.

The Kerala Congress-Joseph and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) have also publicly expressed their displeasure over what they consider inadequate recognition in the new government.

UDF convenor and Congress MP Adoor Prakash has already raised the issue of decisions being taken without consulting alliance partners.

The developments have brought into focus the contrast between Satheesan's repeated pre-election assertion that the UDF would function as a team and the complaints that he is now taking decisions on his own, with the IUML emerging as his principal partner in key discussions.

The choice of the next state Congress unit President has also become a point of contention, with incumbent Sunny Joseph now serving as a minister.

There are differences over his successor, with Satheesan keen to have a decisive say in the selection.

Meanwhile, the A faction has decided to revive its organisational activities and press for representation in important party discussions, making it clear that it is unwilling to accept continued neglect in the distribution of positions.

The A faction was the Congress group traditionally of A.K. Antony, led by the late Oommen Chandy and was once the dominant faction in the Kerala unit of the party.

Source: IANS