Strong demand that post of Thiruvananthapuram DCC President be given to candidate from backward class

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the local body and assembly elections in Kerala approaching, there is a strong demand to consider backward classes for the new post of president of Thiruvananthapuram DCC. The reason why the Congress has faced setbacks in the last few elections in Thiruvananthapuram district is that the backward classes are distancing themselves from the party. It is pointed out that the neglect of the party leadership and the rejection during the selection of candidates have led to a large number of local leaders and workers becoming inactive or joining the CPM and BJP.

Kaviyadu Divakara Panikkar is the last leader from a backward class to become the Thiruvananthapuram DCC President. Since then, this post has been monopolised by forward class leaders for the last six times. Backward class and scheduled castes do not get due representation in party constituency, block and DCC elections. Ezhavas, Vishwakarmajars, Nadars, Dheevaras, Latin Catholics, etc. are also neglected in the selection of candidates in local body and assembly elections. The reason is said to be the lack of backward class-friendly leadership in the party in the district.

Neglect despite being eligible

It is a complaint that although there are many backward class Congress leaders in the district who have organizational heritage and are eligible, they are being neglected in terms of the post of DCC President and the Legislative Assembly seat. Former MLA and AICC member T. Sarathchandra Prasad, who has played an excellent leadership role in the student and youth movements and the party, has been an active presence in Congress activities in the capital district for the last three decades.

He was accepted in the party beyond sectarianism and was considered for the post of DCC President many times, but was avoided at the last minute. There is also a demand that DCC interim president N. Shaktan be made the new president. The leaked phone conversation that the party would collapse in the upcoming local and legislative elections if the party's activities continue like this had led to the loss of Palode Ravi's DCC President post. However, the general sentiment within the party is that the KPCC leadership should intervene and find solutions to the issues raised by Ravi, and that those capable of taking the organisation forward as a united force should be brought into leadership positions in the district, abandoning the partisan approach.