AICC has given women a miss

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  The AICC has given the women a miss in its attempt to energise the party in Kerala. Former AICC secretary Shanimol Usman got sidelined at the 11th hour.

Majority of the leaders here believed Ms Usman had the edge over M.I. Shahnavas as of the three working presidents. The Wayanad MP says he has not sought the post. Over the last several years, he has not been keeping good health. 

A top AICC member said the lone woman leader in the Political Affairs Committee is known for her sharp criticism within. “She always confronted the KPCC leadership at various instances. It hasn't gone down well with some leaders,” he said. 

“She had shot off a letter to the then KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran against K. C. Venugopal’s alleged role in the solar scam which snowballed into a major controversy." However, the AICC leadership had not taken gro-up leaders Oommen Chandy or Ramesh Chennithala into confidence on the appointment of working presidents. Meanwhile, K. Sudhakaran, another working president said he was happy in the new role and denied reports to the contrary. 

A top Congress leader said he was not upset with his appointment, but with Mr Ramachandran's stand against him. “There's a cold war between them,” he told DC. He addressed a press meet at Ernakulam Guest House to clear the air.

There was a massive campaign for him as the party boss. But it only angered the AICC leadership. Oommen Chandy ensured that his loyalist Benny Behanan becomes the UDF convener.

Shanimol told DC that she was neither disappointed nor anxious in denying her the post. “There is hardly 150 days more for the Lok Sabha elections. I wish to contest the LS elections from a winnable seat and want to focus on that”, said Shanimol.