Congress delays KPCC president call as Satheesan, KC hold back

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as the state Congress leadership is demanding a quick decision on the new KPCC president, the AICC has decided not to rush as it is a politically sensitive matter.

Key points

• The high command has prioritised organisational changes in Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
• Senior leader and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala met the party's central leaders on Thursday, and reportedly sought to appoint the PCC chief without further delay.
• When the high command is projected to examine Deepa Dasmunsi's report and commence consultations with Kerala leaders, the real countdown is projected to commence after Onam.
• Kodikunnil Suresh and former UDF chairman Benny Behanan were among the early frontrunners.
• The process stalled after both Satheesan and Venugopal decided against backing a candidate.

In practice, the high command may have shortlisted few names for KPCC president, but the appointment is being delayed as Chief Minister V D Satheesan and AICC organisational general secretary K C Venugopal have chosen not to back any particular aspirant. Both leaders are keen to avoid taking ownership of a decision that could upset Kerala's delicate factional balance.

Meanwhile, senior leader and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala met the party's central leaders on Thursday, and reportedly sought to appoint the PCC chief without further delay.

Notably, the high command has prioritised organisational changes in Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. "Kerala has a new government and there is no immediate organisational urgency compared to other states, " remarked a senior leader. The AICC has reportedly conveyed this position to senior leaders from Kerala.

Kodikunnil Suresh and former UDF chairman Benny Behanan were among the early frontrunners. While Joseph Vazhakkan and Anto Antony are additionally in contention, mathew Kuzhalnadan and Shafi Parambil afterwards entered the race. While Mathew and Shafi are considered close to Venugopal, kodikunnil is close to Satheesan. While Vazhakkan has the backing of Ramesh Chennithala, benny enjoys backing throughout factions.

Meanwhile, the process stalled after both Satheesan and Venugopal decided against backing a candidate. While Venugopal has favoured an organisational process similar to the one held during the selection of parliamentary party leader to identify the president, apparently keen to avoid controversy by backing any particular leader, satheesan has reportedly informed the leadership that the new KPCC chief should work in tandem with the administration.

Meanwhile, the delay is causing concern in the state unit. With KPCC president Sunny Joseph and working presidents A P Anil Kumar and P C Vishnunath joining the cabinet, and six DCC presidents becoming MLAs, the party machinery is without full-time leadership. Sunny had informed the AICC of his willingness to step down shortly after he joined the cabinet.

"The absence of leadership is affecting both the party and the administration. The party has to backing and defend the administration. If Tamil Nadu could appoint a PCC chief despite having no assembly election in near future, why is Kerala being delayed?" asked a senior leader.

KPCC and DCC reorganisation can commence only after the new president is appointed. The delay has exposed the difficulty the high command faces in balancing competing power centres in Kerala. Rahul Gandhi's special interest in Kerala affairs, Venugopal's position as AICC organisational general secretary from the state and Priyanka Gandhi's representation in Parliament have continued to the complexity.

In short, congress delays KPCC president call as Satheesan, KC hold back is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.