Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress leadership on Tuesday declined Abin Varkey’s request to continue in Kerala despite being appointed as the Youth Congress’s national secretary. KPCC President Sunny Joseph said that he can oversee national responsibilities by staying in Kerala.

"One can operate for the entire country from Kerala, can't they? What's the problem with that? Let him stay in Kerala. KC Venugopal is in Kerala, and also across India," Sunny Joseph told the media.

Earlier, Abin Varkey, the state vice president, had requested the party to allow him to continue working in Kerala, instead of moving to the national leadership. Varkey’s remarks came amid reports that the Congress (I) faction led by Ramesh Chennithala was displeased over his being overlooked for the post of state Youth Congress president. O J Janeesh, who had secured significantly fewer votes than Varkey in the organisation’s last internal elections, was appointed state president on Monday.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Varkey said his focus was on contributing to the party’s efforts ahead of the upcoming local body and Assembly elections in the state.

“I have humbly conveyed my interest to the party and will abide by its decision. I am a party person to the core. I live and breathe Congress. I have done everything it has demanded of me and will continue to do so,” he said. “I will never go against the party’s decision nor say anything that would tarnish its image. So, I am not challenging, I am only requesting.”

Regarding his appointment to the national leadership of the youth outfit, a post he had reportedly declined earlier, Varkey said that no position was "unimportant". Asked if he felt sidelined despite being one of the top vote-getters in the last Youth Congress elections, Varkey said he believed the party had taken its decision after considering various factors. “Everyone in the party has the right to express their views, unlike other political organisations,” he said, noting that state leaders had already shared their opinions on the matter with the national leadership.

Meanwhile, discontent is reportedly brewing within the traditional ‘A’ and ‘I’ factions of the Congress over the denial of leadership opportunities to Abin Varkey and Abhijith, both considered popular faces in the Youth Congress.

Sources from these groups said a complaint would be lodged with the party high command, alleging that the recent appointments were made unilaterally, without considering the sentiments of senior leaders and state-level workers. They claimed that the decision amounted to a denial of “natural justice” and warned that the move could demoralise the organisation ahead of crucial Assembly byelections.