T’puram: Amid an escalating debate over the chief ministerial candidate, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunny Joseph has issued a stern warning to party leaders and workers.In a strongly worded statement, Joseph cautioned against making public comments on the selection of a chief minister in the event of an electoral victory. He said airing opinions through print, visual and social media platforms in a manner that damages the party’s public image is unacceptable. Such remarks, he stressed, would be considered inappropriate and treated as a breach of party discipline. The directive comes in the wake of growing unease within the party and among supporters of the UDF, who have expressed dissatisfaction over the public airing of internal matters. Joseph noted that the All India Congress Committee had instructed to avoid such discussions, but continued violations by some leaders forced the state unit to reiterate its stand. The controversy has intensified with senior leaders and factions openly backing potential chief ministerial candidates. Support has reportedly coalesced around K C Venugopal, V D Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala, with public endorsements sharpening factional lines within the party. Senior Congress leaders have privately voiced concern that such a debate, even before election results are declared, could prove detrimental to party unity and the trust people gave the outfit. The ongoing tussle has not only deepened divisions within the Congress but has also caused unease among its allies in UDF. Political observers note that the open backing of Venugopal by a section of leaders is being viewed as an attempt to counter the prospects of Satheesan emerging as chief minister. With speculation intensifying, the leadership faces a mounting challenge in containing factionalism and presenting a united front ahead of the election outcome.
