Tue Dec 10 15:06:27 UTC 2024: ## Congress Factionalism Surfaces After Legislator’s Sidelining Claim

**Thiruvananthapuram, December 10, 2024** – A simmering conflict within the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has come to the fore after Congress legislator Chandy Oommen publicly voiced concerns about his perceived marginalization during the recent Palakkad byelection campaign. Oommen, son of the late former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, claimed he was given only one day of work in the constituency, suggesting a broader feeling of exclusion among party ranks.

While Oommen has generally avoided factional politics and even rejected inheriting his father’s A-group leadership, his comments have ignited speculation of intra-party power struggles. Some interpret his remarks as reflecting a broader discontent among younger leaders from the once-dominant A-group, reportedly drawn to Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan and AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal. Both Satheesan and Venugopal have denied any such factionalism.

However, Oommen’s statement appears to align with sentiments expressed by other Congress leaders, such as Shashi Tharoor and K. Muraleedharan, who have opposed calls for replacing senior leadership with younger members. Muraleedharan specifically highlighted the electoral success under KPCC president K. Sudhakaran’s leadership, advocating for internal unity rather than a generational shift.

Senior Congress leader Cherian Philip downplayed the significance of the A-group’s legacy, emphasizing the party’s need for unity. He urged the party to not overlook Oommen’s concerns given his political background. Satheesan declined to comment, stating that the KPCC would handle internal matters. Oommen’s statements have raised questions about the future of the Congress party in Kerala and its internal dynamics as it navigates the challenges of generational change and factional pressures.

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