Palakkad: In a scathing attack launched against senior Congress leader VD Satheeshan, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Digital Media Cell Convener Dr P Sarin stated that the senior Congress leader is solely responsible for weakening the party’s organizational structure over the past three years.
“Resembling the autocrats of past ages, he believes he is the party and has hijacked it,” Sarin said.
Unlike K Karunakaran, Ramesh Chennithala and Oommen Chandy, Satheeshan has upended everything. He believes he is the party. He has undermined the democratic nature and internal strengths of Congress,” sarin said while addressing the media at the press club in Palakkad today.
He pointed out that various power nexuses within the Congress are interested in burying the issues affecting the party without addressing them. “There is no forum within the Congress to raise concerns on behalf of party workers, and the lack of hierarchy hampers proper functioning. It is now operating in a disorganised manner,” he stated.
Dr Sarin also referred on Satheesan’s unexpected rise to party leadership, stating, “None had any doubts on that. Initially, it was seen as a fresh start, but over time, it became clear that wasn’t the case and we saw how few leaders were sidelined and ordinary party workers are certainly not happy about this”.
He expressed concern over a possible internal move within the party favouring the BJP by showcasing strong hostility toward the CPM. Sarin also criticised the Congress for fielding Shafi Parambil for the recent Vadakara assembly election. Shafi was the Palakkad MLA then. “The by-polls in Palakkad were deliberately triggered. The party sacrificed long-term goals for a short-term victory,” he added. Sarin emphasised that he doesn’t believe in pursuing temporary gains in politics. Sarin emphasised that many party workers have already voiced these concerns. “If things continue this way, Congress risks failure in the 2026 Assembly elections,” he warned. He added that Rahul Mamkoottathil is the mini-version of Satheeshan.
“I was a congressman till yesterday, it looks like they don’t want me today”, said Sarin.
Meanwhile, K Sudhakaran has mellowed down his tone and said that Dr Sarin is an educated individual and he is free to take his decisions. But Sudhakaran appealed that the Congress party is opened for discussions and requested him not to leave the party as Palakkad will go to polls on November 13.
Sarin’s attack on Congress happened at a time when the party decided to field Rahul Mamkoottathil as the UDF candidate for Palakkad. Sarin had questioned the move and said that the decision could backfire for the party. Many leaders have have criticized Sarin for his statements.