BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan likely to escape axe

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan may escape axe for the TINA factor in the saffron party. The medical college scam has spoiled chances of general secretary M. T. Ramesh, thanks to the rival group led by Mt Rajasekharan's predecessor V. Muraleedharan. Though the BJP and RSS bosses in Delhi gave a clean chit to Mr Rajasekharan, they were unhappy with his staff members bringing shame to the party at the national level. Mr Muraleedharan has always considered Mr Ramesh as a possible threat. A top BJP leader told DC that central leadership is groping in the dark on how to regain its lost face.

“The scam has opened a Pandora's box," he said.  "Mr Muraleedharan is trying to wrest control by raising allegations against the official faction.” At the recent state office bearers' meeting at Thrissur, the past and present presidents raised allegations and counter allegations against each other. After the crucial meeting, they were huddled together only to raise more corruption charges.  At the same time, Mr Ramesh also met Mr Rajasekaran separately and demanded action against leaders who tried to implicate him.  The RSS has directed him to move firmly against portraying leaders as corrupt and crush the rebels. On Saturday, he called the steering committee meeting in Thiruvananthapuram to finalise arrangements of his 16-day padayatra starting from Payyannur on Sep 7.