Congress party faces internal revolt

The Kerala Congress is experiencing growing discontent six months after Assembly elections, with senior leaders staying away from party forums and questioning how power is being consolidated.

Three core complaints from dissidents

Senior leaders allege Assembly seats were allocated on financial considerations, senior leaders were denied their due, and key decisions were taken without adequately consulting sections of the party.

Seat distribution draws sharpest criticism

Dissident leaders allege that the Changanassery, Thiruvalla and Kuttanad seats were influenced by financial considerations. The candidates fielded in Kuttanad and Changanassery were not party members for a year before being fielded.

“The candidates fielded in Kuttanad and Changanassery were not party members even for a year before being fielded as candidates.”

Vice-chairperson and legislator absent

KC vice-chairperson Joseph M. Puthussery is staying away from party forums. Irinjalakuda legislator Thomas Unniyadan has kept his distance from the party's organisational activities for some time.

Idukki seat decision sparks anger

A section of the Idukki district committee remains unhappy with the decision to give up the Idukki Assembly seat, the home turf of party chairperson P.J. Joseph, in favour of Kuttanad.

Panchayat defeat signals wider trouble

The party's defeat in the Thrikkodithanam division of the Kottayam district panchayat bypoll is now being cited by dissidents as evidence that the party cannot afford to disregard its organisational base.

“What happened in Thrikkodithanam is a sign of things to come if the leadership continues to ignore the concerns of party workers.”

Unniyadan's ministerial grievance goes public

Four-time legislator Thomas Unniyadan has maintained a firm stand against being denied a ministerial berth. Meetings marking his twenty-five years as a legislator saw speakers openly question the leadership's decision.

Leadership moves to contain damage

A key office-bearer acknowledged discontent and said the immediate challenge was preventing individual grievances from snowballing into a wider organisational challenge. A State committee meeting decided to initiate efforts in this direction.

“It is important to prevent disparate grievances from coalescing into an organisational challenge.”