Thiruvananthapuram: Congress brass stepped in to contain a row triggered by allegations that chief minister V D Satheesan declined to meet KSU state president Aloysius Xavier amid govt pleaders appointment controversy.In a bid to defuse the situation, Xavier on Saturday met KPCC president Sunny Joseph, who later said he spoke to chief minister about the issue. “Chief minister told me he couldn’t meet Aloysius due to his official commitments,” said Joseph, adding that the matter would be resolved through party discussions.Xavier said he conveyed KSU’s concerns to party brass and expressed confidence that CM would address the issue. “CM has official responsibilities, and we respect that. We will meet him soon to discuss the matter. We aren’t interested in portraying this as a confrontation between KSU and govt,” he said. He urged party functionaries not to turn the issue into a factional dispute.The issue erupted after allegations surfaced that CM refused to grant an audience to KSU president. Xavier subsequently approached KPCC brass, complaining that concerns raised by the student organisation weren’t getting adequate attention under UDF govt. CM’s office, however, denied rejecting a meeting request, stating that Satheesan was away in Kollam on official duty when the appointment was sought and scheduling constraints prevented the meeting.The controversy exposed differences within Congress, with one section maintaining that CM should have met Xavier, while another dismissed the issue as being driven by factional interests. Those close to Satheesan alleged that the youth wing was being used by certain groups to target the party brass.AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said some developments may have disappointed KSU workers. “Priority should be to resolve the issue internally. This is a govt in which people have placed great expectations, and we shouldn’t create unnecessary discomfort from within. Govt and party will work together to resolve the matter. No one should act to demoralise party workers,” he said.Home minister Ramesh Chennithala urged restraint, saying govt was prepared to examine KSU’s concerns over govt pleaders’ appointment. “If KSU has a complaint, it will be examined. There is nothing wrong in KSU expressing its opinion. However, there are proper ways to do so. I believe CM will take the initiative to look into the issue,” he said.Congress sources said KPCC brass is expected to facilitate a meeting between Satheesan and Xavier to end the standoff.Meanwhile, Idukki MP Deen Kuriakose said, “I know Giona James personally, but I recommended her as an MP. Merit is the only criterion for appointment as govt pleader. I recommended her based on her competence as an advocate, and I stand by it. She is also an active member of Lawyers’ Congress.” Attempts to link the issue to SFI or Left are baseless, he added.Revenue minister A P Anilkumar said KSU and Youth Congress functionaries have the right to express independent views, adding that govt would accept constructive suggestions and reject those it found unviable. Responding to reporters, Anilkumar said functionaries of the two organisations shouldn’t overstep their limits.KSU and Youth Congress members speak out their opinions when UDF assumes power and this is unlike DYFI and SFI functionaries who “plunge into silence” when LDF comes to power, he said. He rejected allegations that functionaries aligned with Venugopal were fuelling controversies against CM. Anilkumar said Venugopal is one of the most prominent national Congress functionaries and all Congress members in Kerala are associated with him.(With inputs from Kottayam, Thodupuzha and Thrissur)
