Dispute over election defeat leads to fisticuff; conflict in Thrissur DCC office

THRISSUR: The dispute over the heavy defeat suffered by the Congress in Thrissur in the Lok Sabha elections has reportedly led to a fisticuff among Congress activists at the Thrissur DCC office. A supporter of K Muraleedharan was physically assaulted at the Thrissur DCC office, a report said. The dramatic incidents took place during the meeting held at the DCC office this evening. It is alleged that DCC Secretary Sajeevan Kuryachira was pushed and manhandled by DCC Vice President Jose Vallur and his supporters. Following the incident, Sajeevan Kuryachira staged a sit-in protest at the DCC office. After some time, a clash broke out between those supporting Muraleedharan and those supporting Jose Vallur.

Infighting began within the district leadership of the Congress after K Muraleedharan was relegated to the third position in the Thrissur Lok Sabha elections. A section of Congress leaders and workers turned against the district leadership after the party suffered defeats in both the Lok Sabha constituencies in the district. The other day, posters had appeared on the DCC office wall against Congress leader TN Prathapan and Thrissur DCC President Jose Vallur. The posters read, 'Jose Vallur should resign' and 'No seat for Prathapan even in the ward election'.