Youth Congress faces turmoil as Chandy Oommen raises a dissenting note

Resentment within the Youth Congress over the selection of the Youth Congress (YC) state president appears to be escalating into a full-blown confrontation, with Puthuppally MLA Chandy Oommen openly criticising the party leadership over his removal from organisational positions.

“Abin Varkey was a deserving individual and has served this party for a long time. The decision to send him to the national leadership should have been taken in consultation with him. Everyone knows why he has not become the Youth Congress president. I’m not revealing it now, but one day I will,” Mr. Oommen told the media on Thursday.

Interestingly, Mr. Oommen’s remarks came on a day when the newly appointed Youth Congress president O.J. Janeesh visited the tomb of the late Congress leader Oommen Chandy in Puthuppally to pay tributes before formally assuming charge.

Party sources said the outburst highlights a long-standing conflict between Mr. Oommen with the duo of Shafi Parambil and Rahul Mamkootathil, which began after Mr. Oommen was relieved from his duties in the Youth Congress national outreach cell.

Mr. Oommen believes that the decision was influenced by a report submitted by Mr. Mamkootathil to the national leadership shortly after he assumed office as Youth Congress president in November 2023.

YC sources said Mr. Oommen faced humiliation when he was removed from the post on his father’s death anniversary without explanation. He reportedly learnt of his expulsion only after being removed from a WhatsApp group for the Outreach Cell.

Political observers note that Mr. Oommen’s attack on the leadership carries multiple political dimensions. With the group led by Mr. Parambil reportedly drawing closer to K.C. Venugopal, he fears further sidelining within the party, they pointed out.