Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President VM Sudheeran has always been a kind of a rebel within his own party. When the state congress leaders were scared to even utter the word ‘prohibition’, it was Sudheeran who kept chanting it relentlessly, thereby exerting pressure on the government to finally come up with its gradual phasing -out liquor policy.
As the list of candidates who will contest in the assembly polls -scheduled for May 9- is being finalized, Sudheeran’s camp has dutifully let the media know that the KPCC chief was unhappy about ancient dinosaurs -pardon veterans- who have already won four times contesting yet again.
Sudheeran loyalist TN Prathapan MLA solemnly informed the media that he would not be contesting the polls this time and will make way for youngsters.
Reacting to Pratapan’s decision, Sudheeran took a dig at nonagenarian VS Achuthanandan and said, "Pratapan should be a model for leaders like VS Achuthanandan, who still seem to be in a hurry to contest. Those who have successively contested elections at least four times should not contest this time.”
The CPI (M) too seems to have debated this at length, but VS’ popularity is something that the left party cannot afford to mess with now.
Keeping communists and their candidates aside, what will the Congress chief do with those in his own party, including Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who has been MLAs for a record ten times.
Will they too consider stepping aside for new talent?
