Handed over resignation letter to Sonia Gandhi: Mullappally Ramachandran

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mullappally Ramachandran confirmed that he had written to Congress president Sonia Gandhi stating that he did not want to continue as KPCC president and that an alternative system should be set up soon. Kerala Kaumudi had earlier reported that Mullappally had informed Sonia in writing of his resignation.

On Friday, Mullappally had told journalists that he had informed Sonia Gandhi that he would continue until the new president is announced. "I am fully responsible for the election debacle. Everything is made clear in the report sent to Sonia. But the news that I have sent another letter and boycotted the Ashok Chavan committee was not true. I have known Ashok Chavan and all but one of the members of the committee for years. They are my friends. When Chavan contacted me, I told him that I did not have anything new to say to the commission as I have already told Sonia everything I needed to say. I also informed that a copy of that report would be given to the commission and that it can be recorded as my statement," Mullappally said.

"I did not attend the UDF meeting since I informed Sonia Gandhi about stepping down from the post of KPCC president. I used to attend the UDF Coordinating Committee meeting as the KPCC president. It is politically and morally wrong to attend a meeting even after announcing a willingness to resign from the post of KPCC president. Morally, I can no longer convene a political affairs committee or any other meeting," he added.

Mullappally also said that there is no ideological conflict in Congress as the media says. "Everyone wants to take the party forward together. No one with vested interests and ulterior motives should try to bring the party down by destroying the morale of party members," he added.