Kerala: Congress moves to close Chirayinkeezhu clash chapter, woman MLA escapes action

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 7
The Congress's Kerala leadership has decided against taking disciplinary action against Chirayinkeezhu MLA Ramya Haridas over the ugly factional clash that has embarrassed the party, opting instead for a compromise formula that seeks to remove her controversial aide Palayam Pradeep from the equation.

The state Congress unit is expected to issue a clear directive to Haridas to stop using Pradeep as her aide and completely distance him from her political activities in the constituency.

The move follows widespread complaints from local Congress leaders that Pradeep, who has been a constant presence alongside the MLA, was interfering excessively in party affairs and had become the principal source of friction within the constituency unit.

The decision was taken after Haridas spoke to party General Secretary, Organisation, K.C. Venugopal.

Venugopal is understood to have advised the MLA to work in coordination with the local Congress leadership and avoid factionalism.

Following the meeting, the leadership decided that the issue should not be allowed to escalate further and that an attempt should instead be made to settle the dispute.

The development comes a day after the state Congress initiated disciplinary proceedings over the physical confrontation involving Ramya's aide and local Congress leaders.

Pradeep and S. Sajad, Vice President of the Congress Koothalloor Mandalam, were suspended from the party's primary membership based on the preliminary report of the party inquiry committee, which had examined complaints and counter-complaints from both sides.

Sajad Muttappalam, a district panchayat member, and other local leaders had alleged that Pradeep's constant intervention in constituency-level party affairs had triggered resentment.

They complained that his presence at party meetings and public programmes had gone beyond the role of an aide.

The opposing side, however, alleged that a group including Haridas and Pradeep had gone to Muttappalam's residence late at night, leading to a confrontation and physical assault.

Haridas and Pradeep, in their counter-complaint, alleged that Muttappalam had called them to his house and assaulted them.

The party inquiry committee recorded the statements of six DCC office bearers from Chirayinkeezhu and two block Congress presidents before submitting its preliminary report.

The party leadership subsequently acted against representatives of both sides, citing the damage caused to the party's image.

State Congress President Sunny Joseph and senior leader K. Muraleedharan had publicly expressed displeasure over the incidents, describing them as a source of embarrassment for the party.

With the leadership now keen to draw a line under the controversy, no further action is currently expected against Haridas or the other side.

The strategy now appears clear: reprimand the MLA, remove the flashpoint around her, bring the rival factions together, and close a chapter that has already caused considerable embarrassment to the Congress.