» KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran to step down
» Sudheeran cites health reasons behind the decision
» 'My personal problems should never affect the functioning of the party,' he told reporters in Kerala capital
» He was injured in an accident in Kozhikode recently
» Veteran politician says will send the resignation letter to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi Friday itself
» He thanks all senior leaders for their support
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president V.M. Sudheeran on Friday said he is stepping down from the post. The veteran politician cited health reasons behind his decision.
"My personal problems should never affect the functioning of the party," he told reporters in Kerala capital on Friday. Sudheeran suffered injuries when he fell from the stage during a function in Kozhikode recently.
"The Congress in Kerala is going through a phase that needs constant attention. And I am not in a position to do so. The leader is not important, it's the party that matters," he said.
The 69-year-old leader, known for taking firm stand on several issues which led to differences between him and senior party colleagues, said he was sending his resignation letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi Friday itself.
"I thank everyone who supported me during the tenure," Sudheeran said. But, he said he had not consulted senior leaders before taking the decision.
Sudheeran still integral part of Congress
Opposition leader and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said Sudheeran will continue to be critical to the party's functioning.
"Sudheeran has only quit from his position as KPCC chief. He is still an integral part of the Congress and will continue to play a role in party functioning," Chennithala said.
Differences of opinion
However, Sudheeran had faced strong resistance from within the party and differences of opinion were reported between the KPCC chief and senior leaders, including with former chief minister Oommen Chandy.
A former assembly speaker and health minister, Sudheeran was appointed Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president in February 2014, replacing Ramesh Chennithala, who was inducted into the Oommen Chandy cabinet.
Sudheeran had been instrumental in denying party tickets to several tainted persons in the 2016 assembly elections.
A proponent of prohibition, he had taken a firm stand against reopening over 700 closed Indian Made Foreign Liquor bars during the Oommen Chandy regime.
Chandy and Chennithala were reportedly miffed with Sudheeran over recent re-constitution of District Congress Committees in the state with Chandy even keeping away from various party functions.
(With inputs from PTI)