'Malicious conspiracy, Palode Ravi's resignation accepted in haste'; Resentment brews inside Congress

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Block and Mandal Congress office bearers in Vamanapuram are a bit rattled over the haste shown by party leadership in accepting the resignation of Thiruvananthapuram DCC President Palode Ravi over the controversy surrounding the phone conversation.

Nine people expressed this opinion in their statements given to Thiruvananthapuram Disciplinary Committee Chairman Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, who was appointed by the KPCC leadership to investigate the incident. They also alleged a conspiracy behind the leaking of parts of the conversation to a channel. Many demanded an investigation into the conspiracy angle.

The statement was taken from Thursday morning to afternoon at the DCC office in Bakery Junction. Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said that the investigation report will be handed over to KPCC President Sunny Joseph MLA soon.

Apart from Palode Ravi, the block and mandal office bearers of Vamanapuram constituency came to give their statements.

According to Palode Ravi:

Venjaramoodu block secretary contacted him to talk about some differences that exist locally, and he instructed the cblock secretary to resolve the differences and move forward. The details that got leaked in the conversation are topics often discussed in party meetings.

Palode Ravi alleged a malicious play behind leaking just a certain part of the conversation to the media. Venjaramoodu Block Congress Secretary Jaleel, who is said to have leaked Palode Ravi's phone conversation to the channel, came to give his statement but was stopped by party workers.

Jaleel was expelled from the party due to disciplinary action and thus was not allowed to enter the DCC office. Jaleel left without giving his statement. However, Thiruvanchoor said that he had received Jaleel's written statement. The statement was recorded confidentially.