The Congress in Kerala has effectively abandoned its war against PC George, Chief Whip of the UDF Government it heads, over his participation in the Run for Unity marathon conceived by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday following the realisation that the leaders were perhaps over-reacting and that George’s party is unlikely to take action against him.
Sharp divisions have appeared within the Congress over the issue with one section complaining that the attacks on George have been counter-productive as an impression has been created that the Congress is being intolerant towards anything and everything connected to Modi, the prime ministerial candidate of the BJP-led NDA and electorally the prime enemy of the UPA.
The Congress was forced to abandon the attacks against George also because Finance Minister KM Mani, chairman of the Kerala Congress (M) of which George was the vice-chairman, rejected demands for action against him and with leaders of other UDF constituents coming out in support of the Chief Whip over the Unity Run controversy.
Congress leaders including its State president Ramesh Chennithala had unleashed a severe attack against George after he flagged off the marathon at Kottayam on Sunday and unveiled a T-Shirt with Modi’s pictures on it. The Congress said it was improper for George to do this because the marathon was part of Modi’s plan to erect a statue of Patel for political purposes.
George shot back saying there was no need for the Congress leaders to be annoyed over the matter as he had participated not in a BJP programme but the marathon was meant to pay tribute to Sardar Vallabhbahi Patel, India’s Iron Man. He also justified the T-shirt incident saying that he never considered Modi as an untouchable.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who had received a delegation sent by the Gujarat Government in connection with the construction of the Patel statue, chose to stay away from the controversy connected to George’s participation in the marathon making it obvious the rampant groupism in the Congress was one of the factors behind it.
KM Mani, who had said on Sunday that his party would discuss the issue, changed his stand later and announced that there was nothing wrong in what George did. Mani’s statement effectively became a huge setback for Chennithala as it came within hours of his statement that he had asked the Finance Minister to take action against George.
On Wednesday, Johny Nelloor, chairman of the Kerala Congress (Jacob), a minor constituent of the ruling UDF, came out in support of George saying that he had committed no wrong. This served as a clear message to the Congress that not many constituents of the UDF apart from the Muslim league were supporting it on the issue.
“Some people in the party wanted to use the issue to put pressure on Chief Minister Chandy with their demand for action against George. Somehow, they are convinced that Chandy can never touch George. But the Chief Minister refused to fall into that trap,” said a group-neutral senior Congress leader.