Internal war has intensified in the Kerala NCP, which is being dogged by serious problems, including a sexual harassment charge against a senior leader that had led to his resignation as Minister, for the past several months. The feud has already triggered speculation about the possibility of a split in the State party in near future.
The differences in the State party have become so intense that it was forced to postpone its leadership meet scheduled to be held on Sunday. Though the reason cited officially for postponement is inconvenience of national leader Praful Patel, who was to take part in the meeting, a party source said the actual reason was the “mutiny”.
The State NCP has been in rough waters since last March when senior leader AK Saseendran was forced to resign as Minister in the lDF Government following a sexual harassment scandal. The fierce battle the party is now witnessing is between the supporters and opponents of Thomas Chandy, who replaced Saseendran in the Cabinet.
Also, the NCP unit is currently going through the painful process of an investigation by the Kerala Police’s Crime Branch over the allegation that State president Uzhavoor Vijayan, who passed away on July 23 at the age of 60, had suffered severe mental torture from some heavyweights within the party, a minor constituent of the CPI(M)-led ruling lDF
One of the main allegations leveled against Chandy, a successful businessman, by a strong section in the State NCP is that “he is acting as though he is bigger than the party”. Chandy is also facing intense criticisms within the party over charges of lake encroachment and misuse of public funds for constructing a road to his tourist resort in Alappuzha.
“We are a small party. But it used to be a peaceful party till he became Minister and started imposing his non-existent authority on others and using the party to serve his interests,” alleged aid a top NCP functionary. As per reports, it is Saseendran who is leading the rebel’s war against Chandy.
Ten of the 14 district presidents of the State NCP had reportedly held a secret meeting in Kozhikode recently and asked the central leadership to take steps to rein in Chandy. The youth wing of the party also has sought action against him over the charge of misuse of public funds for paving road to his resort.
Observers are of the opinion that a split in State NCP is possible in near future. Only the central leadership can avoid this but it is unlikely to intervene as Chandy is enjoying party supremo Sharad Pawar’s support, they say. It is also said that the rebels’ plan is to join the Janata Dal (S) so that they can remain in the lDF.
Rebel leaders are also finding fault with certain leaders of the CPI(M) over the way they are protecting ‘tainted’ Chandy. On Thursday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan came to his rescue in the Assembly when he faced Opposition attacks over the alleged lake encroachment. Pinarayi defended Chandy by saying there was no encroachment from Chandy’s resort.
“The allegation against the lake Place Resort (of Chandy) is politically motivated,” Pinarayi said while replying to the notice for an adjournment motion on the issue. “They have put some plastic buoys on the water but this is for keeping floating vegetations away. legal action can be taken if any irregularity is found,” he added.
Chandy defended himself in the Assembly by challenging the Congress-led UDF Opposition to prove the charge of lake encroachment. “If anybody can prove that I have grabbed even a cent (of land or lake), I am ready to resign as Minister and even as MlA. The Opposition leader and UDF leaders can hold on-the-spot examinations at my resort,” he said.