Alappuzha (Kerala), Apr 19 (PTI) SNDP Yogam leader Vellappally Natesan on Sunday said discussions within the Congress over the chief minister candidate are premature and should take place only after the election results are announced.
Speaking to reporters, Natesan said such debates would be inappropriate if the LDF returns to power.
“After the election results, if the LDF comes to power, such discussions will be shameful. It would have been better to hold them after the results,” he said.
The Kerala Assembly election was held on April 9 and the results will be announced on May 4.
Natesan said internal competition for power in the Congress is not new and leaders like Ramesh Chennithala and K Sudhakaran are ambitious.
“It is Congress culture. There is no point in commenting on it,” he said.
Natesan said any leader who wins the election is capable of becoming the chief minister.
“V D Satheesan was seen more on television. But all backstage work, financial management, candidate selection and resolving issues were handled by K C Venugopal. There were several issues, but they were resolved as he holds central power,” he said.
He added that infighting within the Congress is a key issue, as it leads to differing opinions among leaders.
“It is Congress culture—they fight among themselves and then unite. Once they get power, they will start fighting again,” he said.
Natesan also said Ramesh Chennithala would not become irrelevant amid the power tussle between Satheesan and Venugopal, as he is a senior and capable leader.
He added that there is no doubt that Pinarayi Vijayan will lead the LDF if it retains power. PTI TBA TBA KH
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