The row over Congress in Kerala giving up their Rajya Sabha seat to Kerala Congress (M) seems to have not settled down completely as of yet.
On Sunday, KPCC President MM Hassan said at an event that ideals without discipline are like a body without a soul. He made the comment at an event in Thrissur held to pay respects to senior Congress leader KP Viswanathan.
With MLA VT Balram and senior Congress leader VM Sudheeran being present at the event, Hassan's comment was seen as a jibe at the duo, who had been vocal about their disagreements with the party's decision to give up the RS seat to KC (M).
"Discipline is most important for family life, political life and social life. Ideals without discipline are like bodies without souls," Hassan said.
Especially with the party even contemplating disciplinary action against the 'rebel' MLAs including Sabarinathan, Balram and several others, Hassan's 'discipline' comment did not go unnoticed.
Soon after Hassan's address, MLA Balram left the venue without making a speech.
Sudheeran too left the venue soon after, but after addressing the audience. AICC general secretary Oommen Chandy also attended the event. The coming together of the Congress leaders at a single event happens at a time when there have been loud disagreements over the RS seat row.
At the event, Oommen Chandy said as soon as he held the mike that he will not say anything controversial this time around, and that the journalists won't get anything out of him.
Trouble began in the party ever since one of the state's three Rajya Sabha seats that had fallen vacant was suddenly "gifted" to the Kerala Congress (Mani) faction that was an ex-ally of the UDF. A day after the seat was offered, KC (M) announced its return to UDF fold after a gap of two years.
Outgoing Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien, who was apparently hoping for a fourth term in the upper house, was upset that Chandy had given the seat away.