A, I groups to get upper hand in Congress revamp

The long-drawn organisational revamp in the state unit of the Congress is poised for a final delivery.

If everything goes well, the camps led by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala will share the major portion of the posts; from vice-presidents, general secretaries and secretaries of the KPCC as well  executive committee members to the DCC presidents.

An agreement has already been reached on removing all the present DCC presidents and doing away with MLAs and MPs holding party posts at the KPCC/DCC-level.

It is also certain that consensus will be the key word in  the evolution of any package, instead of the demand of some sections within the party for elections to find out new office-bearers.

Both Chandy and Chennithala left for New Delhi on Sunday with a mission to settle the matter once and for all and hand out an agreement to Congress president Sonia Gandhi for ratification.

Prior to it, they will hold detailed discussions with senior Congress leader and Defence Minister A K Antony and Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi.

“The suggestions of all sections in the party will be taken into account before finalising the list. There will be even personalities who are not aligned with any groups in the party,’’ Chennithala told Express.

Sources in the party confided that the list would be basically a sharing of the spoils by the A camp, still led by Chandy in Antony’s name, and the Broad I group.

Within the latter group led by Chennithala himself, votaries of Vayalar Ravi and K Muraleedharan are actively lobbying for  their share.

“In fact, nothing is seriously pursued by them. However, none will be neglected. The list will have a fresh appeal to enthuse the party,’’ said Chennithala, who has already been nominated as the KPCC chief.

“Everything will be settled after the final round of talks between me and Chandy, on the basis of the  stance of Antony, Vayalar Ravi and other leaders. I’ve already spoken many times to V M Sudheeran and others also. All are looking towards giving a new face for the party,’’ he added.

As per indications, four vice-presidents each will be lifted by the A and I groups.

Nominees of Vayalar Ravi and other prominent group leaders will be accommodated at the level of general secretaries and secretaries.

The two prominent groups are also set to bag seven DCC presidentship each. Position seekers from all districts are already camping in New Delhi. The list sans any big wonder is most likely to be finalised by this weekend.