It’s just months away from assembly elections in Kerala, but instead of preparing for the polls as a united front, the faction wars in the Congress party are only getting worse.
The latest episode in the factional feud was stoked by state Congress president V.M. Sudheeran’s letter to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy seeking removal of the chairman of the Kerala State Co-operative Consumers' Federation Ltd. (Consumerfed), Joy Thomas.
Thomas, a close aide of Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, told the media on Monday that he was pained by the letter that sought his removal.
"The present move against me is nothing but a sign of factionalism in the state Congress and I am a victim. Baseless allegations of corruption in Consumerfed are being spread. Any probe by anyone is welcome," Thomas said.
Additional director general of police Tomin J. Thachenkery has already been shifted out from the post of Consumerfed managing director after differences with Cooperation Minister C.N. Balakrishnan.
In the Consumerfed board of directors, a clear-cut divide exists between the factions of Chandy and Chennithala.
Congress sources said Chennithala, currently in Delhi, would brief the national leadership of the party about Sudheeran's move to meddle in Consumerfed affairs.
There have been verbal duels between rival factions over corruption allegations in Consumerfed in the past.
Meanwhile, Chandy said the issues pertaining to Consumerfed would be discussed within the party and amicably resolved.