On election debacle in Kerala
- May 2004
The complete rout of Congress in Kerala in the 2004 Lok Sabha election had been predicted here long ago, even when everyone was convinced about the might of AK Antony and K Karunakaran.
Karunakaran and Antony, though different means and methods, have been occupying the top echelons of Congress in Kerala too long. Both have harvested the benefits which was a direct result of the mergence of KSU and Youth Congress.
Both should have vacated their seats within the Congress leadership long long ago. Even after the defeat in Trichur Lok Sabha, Karunakaran clinged on. By his hidden manipulations, for which there is no other shrewd politician in Kerala, AK Antony is clinging on to the top post in Congress today. Recall that Antony manipulated the weak KPCC President KK Viswanathan, and occupied the KPP General Secretary post for a long time.
Current News Items:
KPCC general secretary Ajay Tharayil and veteran Congress leader M.A.John in two separate news conferences blamed Chief Minister A.K.Antony and Karunakaran for the defeat of the party and the UDF in the Lok Sabha elections. (quote from http://www.keralanext.com/news/index.asp?id=37292)
Thiruvananthapuram: Congress dissident M A John and a confidant of party General Secretary Vayalar Ravi have called for the resignation of Chief Minister A K Antony, owning responsibility for the electoral rout. John wanted both K Karunakaran and Antony to make way for a revamp. Ajay Tharayil, a lieutenant of Ravi, said here that Antony was mainly responsible. He should not cling on and create further embarrassment for the Congressmen in Kerala, said Tharayil. (The Peninsula Online - Qatar)
Among the leaders seeking Antony's departure is M.A. John, former firebrand leader and one-time guru of Antony. He demanded that both Antony and Karunakaran step down from the party's leadership.
"For the past 35 years Antony and Karunakaran have ruined the party in Kerala through manipulations for their own personal benefit and the time has come for them to say goodbye," John told the media. ( http://in.news.yahoo.com/040525/43/2dang.html )
Bring Back MA John
This forum calls for AICC to bring MA John back to the front stage of Congress once again!
Mail to AICC