Congress disputes Natesan’s imputation about a power struggle for the CM’s post in the party

On Sunday (December 22, 2024), Congress sought to dispel Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) general secretary Vellapally Natesan’s imputation that the party’s top leaders were embroiled in a behind-the-scenes power struggle for the prospective post of Chief Minister after the Assembly elections in 2026.

Mr. Natesan stirred the pot last week by suggesting that Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and former Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala was best suited for the post compared to other “competing” party leaders, including the Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan.

Speaking to reporters in Kannur, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), president K. Sudhakaran said Mr. Natesan was entitled to his opinion like other social leaders.

Nevertheless, he said Congress was competent in choosing its chief ministerial candidate when the time came. Congress has an array of leaders, including Mr. Chennithala, who were immensely suited to the top post.

“Earlier, Congress made Karunakaran Chief Minister when they were equally competent leaders, including A K Antony and Vayalar Ravi”, he added.

Nevertheless, Mr. Sudhakaran strongly objected to Mr. Natesan’s purported statement that Mr. Satheesan was a power monger.

“He (Mr. Natesan) should not have said that. However, we cannot dictate his speech. Mr. Satheesan has earned his spurs as a seasoned legislator, steadfast political campaigner and Leader of the Opposition”, Mr. Sudhakaran said.

Mr. Natesan’s comment appeared to assume some political significance as it came soon after the influential Nair Service Society (NSS) invited Mr. Chennithala to deliver the keynote address at the Mannam Jayanthi celebration at the social organisation’s headquarters at Perunna in the Kottayam district.

An iciness had seemingly crept into Mr. Chennithala’s relationship with the NSS leadership after the former publicly objected to the imputation that the social organisation’s insistence had ensured his induction into the Oommen Chandy Cabinet as Home Minister. Mr. Chennithala had pointedly objected to being bracketed with one caste group or another.

At a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K.C. Venugopal, MP, fielded questions from reporters about the “nascent political import” of NSS’s “olive branch” to Mr. Chennithala.

He said Congress remained an inclusive organisation. It was an expansive tent that could accommodate all social, cultural, and religious organisations. Hence, Mr. Venugopal suggested that it was conjectural to read any hidden meanings into the development.

Mr. Satheesan had arguably earned the ire of the NSS and SNDP by opining that politics was not all about pandering to the whims of leaders of social organisations.

Speaking to reporters in Ernakulam, Mr. Satheesan said he did not change his political line at the drop of a hat. “Some have nothing on me. So they harp about my body language. I have always lauded NSS’s staunch secular stance”, he added.

Mr. Chennithala told reporters in Sabarimala that he had strong bonds with various social and religious organisations, including their respective leaderships.

“Mr. Natesan and me go a long way back. Mr. Natesan has said some good things about me. Social leaders are entitled to their opinions. It’s not my lot to contest their views”, he added.