KPCC President: Sarathchandra Prasad shocks leadership by threatening to contest

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state Congress leadership, which was preparing for the general body meeting after reaching an understanding to pass a resolution assigning AICC President Sonia Gandhi to appoint the new KPCC President, received a shock when T Sarathchandra Prasad threatened to contest the election.

Sarathchandra Prasad threatened to run for the post of KPCC president in protest of K Sudhakaran's comment that he would vote his conscience if Shashi Tharoor ran for the post of AICC president. Sarathchandra Prasad also accused the leadership of ignoring active workers all over the state. The general body meeting, which was supposed to start at 11 am, was delayed by half an hour after the leaders intervened to persuade Sarath who was firm on his decision.

Sarathchandra Prasad finally withdrew following a discussion by K Sudhakaran and KC Joseph under the leadership of Ramesh Chennithala. Chennithala clarified to Sarath that there should not even be a hint that the party is not united in the state at a time when Rahul Gandhi is in the state with the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Sarathchandra Prasad said that he is contesting for the Nehru family. "Sudhakaran should withdraw from his favourable stance towards Tharoor. The state Congress should publicly state that it stands unitedly with the Nehru family," he said.

Sarath also demanded that the several talented workers of the party who are being ignored should get adequate consideration. Sudhakaran did not disagree with Sarath's demands. The General Body went into the meeting after reaching an informal understanding that there would be no disagreement. Sudhakaran told Sarath that his response on the issue related to Shashi Tharoor was distorted by the media.