THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader VD Satheesan said that there should be a situation where the party workers would be able to control the leaders to eliminate groupism within the Congress. He said in an interview with 'Kerala Kaumudi' that the semi-cadre system will be implemented in the party.

"Instead of looking for the cause of defeat, the party should better look into the secret behind the victory of some people. I have been able to win continuously from my constituency as the organizational structure in my constituency is exemplary. The second generation in Congress is brilliant. We will make use of them. We will also seek the advice of veteran leaders. We will be able to bring out a good change together," Satheesan said.

Party workers have high hopes since you were announced as the new leader of opposition. They are seeing it as a generational change

The burden on our shoulders will increase as people’s expectations rise. The confidence of the party workers waned when the party suffered a severe setback. The mission is to recover it. Things have to be done in a new style. For that, we will consult with the leaders of the UDF and the Congress irrespective of politics. Organizational matters are to be decided by the AICC. The Ashok Chavan committee will arrive this week to discuss the issue.

Even though you were part of the I group, you challenged the group leadership and got support beyond the groups. Will you be able to rise beyond group politics?

Groups within Congress is a reality. We were all part of it. The heavy defeat made us think beyond that. Now, the party will be given priority. The problem with groupism was that those with merit were getting ignored while those with no merit managed to climb up the ladder. It should be avoided.

Party had appointed VM Sudheeran and Mullappally as KPCC presidents to control the groups in Congress. While Sudheeran had stepped down, Mullappally had limitations. Do you think that such a situation will not take place from now on?

More than 90 percent of party workers want groups not to paralyze the party. Activists will be able to control leadership. That will help the party to rise beyond groups.

It was Kerala Kaumudi that awakened desire to become MLA

I have been reading Kerala Kaumudi since I was in third class. My father loved the editorial page and the introductory speech of Kerala Kaumudi. During my childhood, I had noticed the newspaper's excellent assembly reporting. Almost everyone's speeches were accompanied by pictures. I used to copy the good speeches in a notebook. I developed the desire to become an MLA at a young age after reading the assembly roundups and the debates reported by Kerala Kaumudi.