Oommen Chandy with Rahul Gandhi at a meeting. File photoNew Delhi/Kochi: In a bid to pacify Oommen Chandy who has resorted to stonewalling tactics to mark his disapproval of the selection of District Congress Committee (DCC) presidents, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will soon hold a meeting with him, it is learnt.
Of late, Oommen Chandy has been keeping himself away from different events organized by the party’s national and state units, including the meeting held in New Delhi recently by the AICC to declare a nation-wide anti-demonetization campaign.
On Thursday, Chandy told mediapersons in Kochi that it is time for overall reconstitution of the national party machinery through organizational elections, and the onus is on the High Command to take a decision in this regard.
“Organizational elections in Kerala is imperative. I don’t have any issue with the High Command and I’m open to talks. AICC general secretary Mukul Wasnik had contacted me over phone, but I could not explain the issues in detail,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi decided to meet him in person after KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran and Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala informed the High Command that the non-cooperation of a senior leader like Oommen Chandy in decision-making process would have a negative impact on the party which is going through a structural dilemma on several fronts.
Ramesh had also requested Rahul to intervene in the issues raised by the former chief minister and resolve them through peaceful means.
The meeting between Congress Working Committee member A. K. Antony and V. M. Sudheeran also emphasized the need to find an amicable solution to the grievances conveyed by Oommen Chandy.
In fact, not many have expected Oommen Chandy to stay away from the events organized by the national leadership because the move could be construed as a mark of protest against the High Command. However, Oommen Chandy chose to express his dissent by staying away from the meetings.
By stating that he is open to talks, Oommen Chandy has signaled his willingness to bring about an agreement through amicable negotiations.
However, he has made it clear that he would not budge from his stance on holding organizational elections in the party’s Kerala unit at the earliest.
The national leadership does not want to go back on its assurance given to him regarding the organizational elections in the state. Also, the High Command hopes that Oommen Chandy would not demand restructuring of the newly-constituted district committees.
As per the High Command’s assessment, Oommen Chandy steadfastly opposed the formula worked out by the state leadership in selecting DCC presidents because he wanted to ensure that such ‘unfair methods’ are not adopted while picking office-bearers for KPCC and DCC.
The national leadership hopes that he would attend the Saturday’s Congress Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting and respond positively to the efforts taken by the High Command to break the ice. But, Chandy said on Friday that he will not attend the meeting.
“I have certain suggestions for the revival of the party in the State which I will convey to the High Command. A decision on attending the PAC meeting will be taken after the discussion,” he added.
