KPCC general secretary writes to president seeking urgent meeting

A deepening rift has emerged within the Congress over the functioning of the UDF government, with senior KPCC leaders raising concerns about transparency and internal consultation.

KPCC General Secretary M.R. Abhilash has written to KPCC president Sunny Joseph to convene an urgent meeting of the party’s State committee to discuss the perceived lack of transparency in governance.   

In his letter, handed over to Mr. Joseph in Ernakulam, Mr. Abhilash said some of the decisions made by the UDF government turned controversial, forcing the government to revoke some of them. Issues like reduction of sales tax rates on low-volume liquor and the latest Vizhinjam Port stake transfer proposal have all caused the people to doubt the intentions of the government, the letter said. It was therefore only proper for the party to hold a meeting to clarify its position internally.   

Earlier, another KPCC general secretary, P.M. Niyas, had petitioned the party leadership in the State, urging its intervention to roll back the appointment of N. Seshadrinathan, who he alleged had links with the RSS, as State Election Commissioner.

“Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan then refused to give a personal audience to Mr. Niyas,” said a senior leader on condition of anonymity. Several leaders have expressed discontent over the way Mr. Satheesan brazenly went ahead making choices without any consultation with his colleagues or the party, the leader said.   

“The party machinery is almost defunct in the State. The KPCC president is busy looking after his ministry, as are two other working presidents and a host of other senior leaders. Only a major rejig will breathe life into the internal functioning,” a leader told The Hindu.