M M Hassan PCC reign to end after bypoll
Congress president Rahul Gandhi is pumping in young blood and heads have started rolling.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KPCC president M. M. Hassan decided to lead Janamochana Yatra hoping to garner funds next year's Lok Sabha elections. But he will be in the position only until the Chengannur by-election. Congress president Rahul Gandhi is pumping in young blood and heads have started rolling. Mr Hassan got the nod from the AICC leadership only the other day to hold the 14-day-long Janam-ochana Yatra from April 7. With Election Commission yet to notify the byelection, he has got an ‘extension’. Now Mr Gandhi has brought in Rajiv Satav and Ashok Gehlot as in-charges of Gujarat.
He is yet to announce a full-fledged Congress Working Committee as authorised by the plenary to choose his team. Currently, a whole lot of leaders are vying for the hot seat. They include Mullappally Ramachandran, K.V. Thomas, K. Sudhakaran, V. D. Satheesan, Benny Behanan and Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan. The AICC is keen to bring in K. Muraleedharan as well. “But if community equations are to be considered, Mr Satheesan and Mr Muraleedharan do not stand a chance as Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala also belongs to the Nair community," said a top leader. “With general elections just a year away, the AICC will think twice before ruffling the feathers of the NSS leadership.”
But a DCC president who had recently held talks with Mr Gandhi before the plenary session understands that only a young and vibrant leader will come at the helm. In that case, K.C. Venugopal and P. C. Vishnunath who are steering party's election campaign in Karnataka hold a better chance. But Mr Gandhi will be taking advice from A. K. Antony. “Only a leader, be it young or a senior, who can steer the two groups will become the president. Mr Gandhi and Mr Antony are aware of the group politics, and they will choose one who can steer the Congress to victory,” said another leader.