KPCC's 'Anto Antony move' to repair Munambam damage, leaders differ

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As preparations for the local body and assembly elections slowly gather pace, some top leaders recently demanded the need for a leadership change in the KPCC with high command. The leaders and cadres of the backward sections are not pleased with this move.

In the KPCC leaders' meeting called by the high command in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi reiterated the need to remain united to wrest power in the state.

V.D. Satheesan faction suggested that KPCC leader K Sudhakaran be removed from his post for the party’s better prospect. Satheesan faction floated the idea of a new Christian leader as KPCC president to mend ties with churches in the state. However, it was under the leadership of K. Sudhakaran that the UDF achieved a resounding victory in the parliamentary elections and assembly by-elections.

Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala, K Muraleedharan, Shashi Tharoor and a few others backed Sudhakaran and called for no immediate replacement. Taking note of the general consensus, the high command dropped the idea of leadership change in Kerala.

With the enactment of the Waqf Bill, more than 650 Christian families will be freed from the eviction of the disputed land in Munambam. The BJP has already started preparing to reap its political benefits. Those in favor of replacing Sudhakaran argue that making MP Anto Antony the KPCC president would garner the support of Christian churches, including Munambam.

Meanwhile, as the demand for due representation to the backward classes in the organization and candidate selection is growing, the move to change the KPCC chairman is feared to distort communal equations and be a major setback for the party. The backward sections within the party suggest Adoor Prakash become K Sudharakan's successor only if the latter is made to step down.