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This is an archive article published on September 4, 2021

Sidelined Ramesh Chennithala bats for one-time rival Oommen Chandy

The Congress new power centre in the state unit comprises AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, KPCC president K Sudhakaran and leader of opposition V D Satheesan.

Ramesh Chennithala (left) and Oommen ChandyRamesh Chennithala (left) and Oommen Chandy

As new power equations emerge in the Congress’s Kerala unit, former opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala Friday came out in open support of one-time rival Oommen Chandy, saying the party leadership has an obligation to discuss organizational matters with the former chief minister.

The Congress new power centre in the state unit comprises AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, KPCC president K Sudhakaran and leader of opposition V D Satheesan. The trio has effectively sidelined Chennithala and Chandy, who headed rival camps in the party for the past 18 years.

Both Chennithala and Chandy have been annoyed over their exclusion in selecting new District Congress Committee chiefs. The new leadership, however, has made it clear that that group loyalty would not be a factor any more while picking leaders for organisational slots.

At a party function in Chandy’s home town Kottayam, Chennithala said: “I am only an ordinary member of the party. But Chandy is a member of the working committee. Everyone has the obligation to discuss the organizational matters with Chandy. The leadership should take all persons along.”

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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