Orthodox Church voices dissent over KPCC reshuffle, feels its members were overlooked

More than just factional rivalries, the recent revamp of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) appears to have sparked a fresh wave of discontent over the ‘communal imbalances’ within the party too.

For instance, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has come out in the open, expressing concern over what it sees as the marginalisation of Orthodox Christians during the KPCC revamp. In a rare show of public dissent, two metropolitans of the Kottayam-headquartered Church, Geevarghese Mar Yulios and Yuhanon Mar Diascoros, have criticised the omission of Abin Varkey and Chandy Oommen from key positions.

“Abin Varkey should have headed the Youth Congress at the State level. Chandy Oommen has also been unfairly overlooked. While they have not communicated to us their dissatisfaction directly, we are raising these concerns because they are members of the Orthodox Church,” said Metropolitan Yuhanon Mar Diascoros.

‘Based on religion’

While expressing concern over political parties revamping their organisations based on religious affiliations, the Metropolitan clarified that the Church has no intention to formally communicate its grievance to the Congress leadership. “However, we have certain questions to ask, not just to the Congress but to all political parties. Those questions will be raised at an appropriate time when they approach us,” he added.

But the issue extends beyond these two leaders. Sources indicate that the Orthodox Church is concerned about the growing influence of the Catholic community, particularly the Syro-Malabar Church, within the Congress. The elevation of Sunny Joseph as KPCC president, widely seen as a move to consolidate Catholic votes, has intensified these concerns.

‘Only one member’

“It is often sections like the Orthodox Church that lose out when top posts are decided based on ‘communal equations.’ Denying Abin Varkey the Youth Congress post citing his Christian identity is hard to justify, especially when posts like KPCC president and KSU president were awarded to others based on their Christian identity,” a senior Church functionary said.

The KPCC’s revamped list of general secretaries reflects this imbalance as only one member from the Orthodox Church, Simon Alex from Thiruvananthapuram, has been included on it. Inside the Congress, sources suggest a quick fix may be on the horizon. A senior Kottayam leader confirmed, “The Church’s concerns will be addressed through a brief reshuffle, likely soon.”