THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mr Mathew Kuzhalnadan, a member of ‘Revive Congress’ and former national Youth Congress general secretary, has denied the rumours that he had joined the 'I' group led by opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala. The ‘Revive Congress’ which was formed in March last ahead of the Assembly elections has been acting as a ‘corrective force’ within the party much to the displeasure of the KPCC leadership. Rumours have been rife that Mr Mathew, 40, of Muvattupuzha, had decided to join the ‘I’ group. The ‘Revive Congress’ members said that Mr Mathew had been keeping off them for quite some time.
“Youth leaders have to show allegiance to one of the factions or else they will be sidelined. Even when youth leaders had called on AICC’s returning officer to Kerala, Sudarashan Nachiappan here, Mr Mathew had kept a distance,” said a ‘Revive Congress’ leader. However, Mr Mathew told DC, “there is no change in my stand. Lots of youth leaders are suffering due to group politics. It is just a rumour that I have joined the Chennithala camp,” said Mr Mathew who holds a PhD in Law from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
The other members of ‘Revive Congress’ include former national Youth Congress secretary Anil Thomas, former Pradesh Youth Congress general secretary R. V. Rajesh, former elected general secretary of Youth Congress D. V. Vinodkrishna, former national coordinator of Aam Aadmi Ka Sipahi (AAKS) Shaji J. Kodankandathu and former Youth Congress general secretary Dr. Ajis Ben Mathews. Recently, Anil had approached the Kerala High Court seeking a judicial intervention to ensure organisational polls in Kerala. Mr Rajesh, who had served as the chairman of state Youth Commission during the UDF regime, stepped down from it to work full time for the organisation. Mr Vinodkrishna is KPCC executive member. Mr Shaji is currently serving as Thrissur DCC general secretary and he was the first to join the Chennithala camp. Mr Ajis is currently the head of the history department at BCM College, Kottayam.
