KPCC President's post: High command under pressure due to Sudhakaran's tough stance

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress high command is under pressure on the KPCC reorganization issue due to K Sudhakaran's tough stance on not resigning from the presidency, which was supported by some senior leaders. The leadership change crisis deepened when some leaders directly informed the national leadership of their support for Sudhakaran. The constituent parties also expressed concern that the crisis in the Congress would shake the unity of the UDF.

The high command's decision will be taken today or tomorrow to prevent the conditions from getting worse. Although Sudhakaran's public response angered the high command, a decision persuading him is more likely. Meanwhile, posters and flexes in support of Sudhakaran have been put up widely in Ernakulam, Kannur and Kottayam districts. The Sudhakaran faction demands to replace AICC General Secretary Deepa Dasmunshi, who is in charge of Kerala and has been in the news for controversy.

Sudhakaran had met senior leader AK Antony at his home on Monday. Following this, Antony spoke to Sonia Gandhi on the phone yesterday. Antony suggested a complete restructuring instead of changing the president. It is learned that Sonia agreed to this.

Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala is in Delhi. K Sudhakaran visited former KPCC president VM Sudheeran at his house yesterday. Former presidents Mullappally Ramachandran and K Muraleedharan informed the leadership that Sudhakaran should not be replaced. Chennithala and Dr. Shashi Tharoor have expressed the same opinion. Sudhakaran responded to the media yesterday that he could not say anything about the change and would inform when the time is right. This is an indication that he will not give in to persuasion.

Opposition to the replacement too

The name of Anto Antony MP as the replacement further angered the Sudhakara faction. Their question is how can Anto Antony replace a leader like Sudhakaran, who has a lot of public support in Kerala. They also ask whether Congress and the UDF will benefit from looking only at community considerations. A section is of the opinion that if there is a restructuring with the Nilambur by-election coming up, it will create a rift in the current unity of the party.