Disciplined party worker yet unfairly overlooked; Ramesh Chennithala unlikely to attend legislative party meeting

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala is not a happy man after the high command decided to hand over the revered Chief Minister seat to VD Satheesan. Ramesh Chennithala is incensed over the high command not considering the seniority criteria despite his record of being a disciplined party worker. It is reported that Ramesh will not attend the legislative party meeting. There are reports that he will not join the cabinet.

Ramesh, who was at his residence in Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram, evaded the media after walking out through the back door of his house. It was MLA Jyothikumar Chamakkala who told the media that Ramesh was not at home. Chamakkala also denied media reports that said that the former home minister of Kerala was perturbed with the high command's decision that robbed him of the chief minister post.

Ramesh Chennithala was considered for the post of Chief Minister along with VD Satheesan and KC Venugopal until the last minute. Despite winning a historic victory with 102 seats, the Congress leadership struggled for 10 days to sort out the Chief Minister battle. This created a deep resentment towards the Congress among the people. With KC Venugopal, Ramesh Chennithala and VD Satheesan vying for the post of Chief Minister, the competition reached the streets with Flex boards, posters and banners filled in support of the three. Demonstrations, protests and suicide attempts also made headlines. Ending all drama, the high command on Thursday decided to make VD Satheesan the Chief Minister, taking into account public sentiment and the support from crucial allies.