It's party first for new KPCC president M M Hassan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: M. M. Hassan took over the mantle of the Congress party at Indira Bhavan on Sunday. His predecessor V. M. Sudheeran handed over the charge to him at a packed hall. Mr Hassan who was serving as the vice-president was elevated as the KPCC president after he stepped down on March 10 owing to ill health. After quite some time, Indira Bhavan was buzzing with the presence of scores of supporters. Former chief minister Oommen Chandy was conspicuous by his absence though he was instrumental in anointing his loyalist. Mr Chandy was as usual busy in his Puthupally constituency where he was replicating as a mass leader playing a cameo role in a Malayalam film.

But his trusted lieutenant K. C. Joseph MLA was there to witness Mr Hassan taking charge as interim president at 11.30 am. The new president, who was a critic of Mr Sudheeran, said it would be party first for him. He said he was not bothered whether it’s a temporary or a permanent post. “My aim is to strengthen the party especially the booth committees," he said. "Like Mr Sudheeran said party’s interest would be my priority. I would strive to work unitedly with all the party leaders without trying to create any controversy. The leaders have to come down from the sky and work.”

He also urged his party colleagues to keep aside differences and work unitedly. He added he would continue protests initiated by Mr Sudheeran and floor leader Ramesh Chennithala against "anti-people policies" of the LDF government here and the BJP rule at the Centre. Former president K. Muraleedharan quipped that Mr Hassan was going to stay put as a permanent PCC chief provided he does his duties, erupting peals of laughter in the room. Former president Thennala Balakrishna Pillai, former Mizoram Governor Vakkom Purushothaman and vice-president V.D. Satheesan were also present.