The lack of interaction in the Kerala Congress after the announcement of the DCC presidents has also led to opposition from other parties in the UDF. It is in this context that the party and those who love the party recognize the plight of those who go without a suitable mediator to resolve the issue. This is not the situation in which K. Sankaranarayanan, Vakkom Purushothaman and KV Thomas stood as hopefuls of integration in the past.
K. Sankaranarayanan and Vakkom Purushothaman are not active in politics today. KV Thomas is at least somewhat active in the Congress party among those who can accept mediation. Senior Congress leader KV Thomas talks to Manorama Online about the crisis in the party and how to resolve it …
What can you do in the role of mediator to resolve the current crisis in Congress?
This crisis needs to be resolved. It must happen immediately. The leadership for that is still in the Congress in Kerala. I am ready for any possible intervention to be resolved. I will take any action for the Congress in Kerala to go it alone. That is my duty as a Congressman.
In your opinion, what is the real problem in the party?
There is no big problem in the Congress in Kerala at present. What happened in Kerala? When I started thinking about the list of DCC presidents, Ramesh Chennithala and Oommen Chandy gave each panel. Further discussions may not have taken place at the point of finalizing a name from that panel. This may be the reason for the leaders’ dislike.
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Does the new group equation seem to have emerged in Kerala?
It is understood that the election of DCC presidents was not based on group equation. But it is believed that the decision was taken with the participation of all the prominent groups in Kerala. Now K. There is no need for Sudhakaran, VD Satheesan or KC Venugopal to form a group. I do not think they will dare. The group is no longer relevant in Kerala.
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Although the group was strong during the time of Karunakaran and Antony, the party was important. Today, non-groups are isolated in Kerala. I think this is the beginning of a change. In the new situation there should be a system outside the group. There is no need for Sudhakaran and Satheesan to be the leaders of the group. None of them are group leaders. It is hoped that the new non-group change will bring about positive change in Kerala.
Isn’t it true that a rift has occurred in the Congress party?
Yes. True. Currently there is a temporary but slight rift between the leaders. The Congress High Command itself is now a party to this issue. In the past, the High Command was not directly involved in the problems of Kerala. GK Mooppanaro, KC Panto or Ahmed Patel would have intervened and solved the problems quickly.
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During Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure, the Congress had two political secretaries. Ahmed Patel and Oscar Fernandes. They were then more likely to inform the party high command and get information directly, either through them or with them. Moreover, even when there was a dispute between K. Karunakaran and AK Antony, the approach taken by them cannot be forgotten.
What is the way forward for the party?
Look outside Kerala. Everywhere there are those who think that the Congress should come to fight against the BJP. There are those who want the Congress, including the CPM, to be strong. Yachury, D. Raja and Pawar all say that the Congress should lead. At this point, everyone wants the party not to weaken, but to gain more energy. Rahul Gandhi should take over the party as full-time president. My feeling is that with Rahul leading the party, who has shown unwavering strength and courage in attacking the BJP, there will be more dynamism at the front level and in the Congress party itself, including in Kerala.
English Summary: Exclusive Interview with Senior Congress Leader KV Thomas over DCC president issue
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