NEW DELHI: Groups in KPCC have been putting pressure on high command to consider Kodikunnil Suresh to the KPCC chief’s post. ‘A’ and ‘I’ groups have informed the high command that they don’t want Sudhakaran to head the party. The group leaders have also expressed their opinion before the Ashok Chavan committee which was appointed to study the party’s defeat in the assembly polls.

Groups say that appointing a Dalit leader to the party’s top post will also reflect the progressive nature of the party before the people. Kodikunnil Suresh also holds the opinion that he should be considered this time as he was considered for the post on numerous previous occasions. He had also sent a letter to Rahul and Sonia Gandhi on this issue.

Both groups are hatching moves to prevent Sudhakaran from helming the party, by projecting Kodikunnil as a prospective candidate. Those who oppose Sudhakaran said that his extremist style of functioning will not benefit the party and even in Kannur he was not able to protect the party. They also say that Sudhakaran has crossed 70 years.

Now it remains to be seen whether the high command will be able to appoint Sudhakaran to the party’s top post surpassing the group leader’s opinions. Those who support Sudhakaran say that except him nobody could take the party forward. Sources say Sudhakaran also has the support of certain national-level leaders like Gulam Nabi Azad and Shashi Tharoor. The high command which has accepted the resignation letter of Mullapally will appoint a new KPCC chief within two weeks. If the conflict over Sudhakaran and Kodikunnil goes on then the high command might consider other names.