Thiruvananthapuram, July 4 (IANS) The ruling Congress in Kerala appears headed for yet another round of bitter factional infighting, with simmering discontent over Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s style of governance spilling into the open and threatening to overshadow the UDF government’s early weeks in office.

The latest flashpoint comes amid growing allegations from a section of the Congress that major policy and administrative decisions are being taken without consulting the party organisation.

Leaders aligned with All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary (Organisation), K.C. Venugopal, have openly questioned the state government’s functioning, demanding an urgent meeting of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) leadership to discuss issues that surfaced during the just concluded Assembly session.

Factional feuds have long been the defining feature of Congress politics, with one generation of leaders replacing another but internal rivalries remaining constant.

The present power centres revolve around Chief Minister Satheesan and Venugopal, while senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala continues to command a smaller but independent support base.

The rivalry between Satheesan and Venugopal is particularly significant.

The last major power struggle ended with Satheesan outmanoeuvring Venugopal for the Chief Minister’s post.

Political observers now believe the balance of power has tilted even further in Satheesan’s favour after his widely appreciated performance on the floor of the Kerala Assembly and his confident handling of government affairs despite having no prior administrative experience beyond serving as an MLA for nearly 25 years.

His growing stature, however, has unsettled sections of the Venugopal faction, which fears that Satheesan could emerge as the undisputed centre of power in both the state government and the Congress unless checked now.

Among the grievances being raised are the appointments of the State Election Commissioner and the Devaswom Pleader, besides the controversial Finance Bill provision permitting low-alcohol beverages, all of which are alleged to have bypassed party forums.

Ironically, while the Opposition targeted the state government over these decisions in the Kerala Assembly, Congress leaders claim many of them were themselves unaware of the decisions beforehand.

The tussle also has an organisational dimension.

With KPCC President Sunny Joseph now serving in the state Cabinet, the Congress effectively lacks a full-time state organisational Chief.

Venugopal’s faction is believed to be keenly watching the selection of the next KPCC President and the impending appointments to state corporations and boards, viewing them as opportunities to curb Satheesan’s growing influence.

Even as the pressure mounts, the chief Minister has made it clear that he will not permit undue interference in the day-to-day functioning of the state government.

His uncompromising stand has only sharpened tensions, setting the stage for what could be a stormy KPCC leadership meeting in the coming days.

–IANS

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