The question has acquired an added resonance in the light of the determined efforts by the leaders of the two dominant groups in the Congress in the state led by former chief minister Oommen Chandy and former home minister Ramesh Chennithala to frustrate his plans for a group-free Congress.

As a first step towards realizing his objective, the Congress vice-president had formed a much-hyped up Political Affairs Committee for the state. The body was expected to be packed with his supporters. But, in reality, the PAC is dominated by the loyalists of Chandy and Chennithala. In olther words, the two dominant groups, A group headed by Chandy and the I group led by Chennithala, continue to have a stranglehold over the affairs of the party in the state, despite efforts to end their domination.

True, Rahul has firmly ruled out replacing Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, V. M. Sudheeran in the teeth of opposition to his continuance in the post. However, Sudheeran has been unable, so far, to implement the High Command’s action plan for a group-free Congress in the state. That is the Hamletian dilemma Rahul faces now. It has become clear that he won’t be able to implement his plan with Sudheeran as the KPCC chief. At the same time, he does not want to replace Sudheeran as that would be an open admission of his failure to have his way. How he resolves this dilemma remains to be seen.

The next round of the battle for supremacy in the party organisation will witness a tussle for controlling the District Congress Committees (DCCs). Obviously, Rahul is expected to come out with a list packed with leaders loyal to him and close to Sudheeran.

Sensing danger, the Chandy-Chennithala duo have, it is learnt, prepared their own list with an eye on having a firm grip on the DCCs. Their game plan is, as in the past, to share the DCC posts between their groups.

However, it is not going to be an easy affair this time around. A few Youth Congress leaders have already complained to Rahul Gandhi about the plans of Chandy and Chennithala to bring their loyalists who lost the recent Assembly elections in the state, to the DCC posts. The names of a few Chandy loyalists and Chennithala aides are doing the rounds. Among them are T. Siddique, and P. C. Vishnunath, both Chandy loyalist (for Kozhikode DCC and Kollam DCC chiefs posts). Likewise, Padmaja Venugopal and M Liju, both Chennithala supporters, are being readied to take over Thrissur and Alappuzha DCCs.

The game plan of Chandy and Chennithala is clear: to put pressure on Rahul and have their way in the matter of selection of DCC chiefs. By getting their list ready, they hope to frustrate Rahul’s plan to have his nominees as the DCC chiefs.

All eyes are now on the PAC meeting scheduled to be held on November 3. The meeting is expected to see the unfolding of the Rahul list. Will the two dominant groups quietly accept the list if it is not to their likking? Or will they defy the diktat of Rahul and continue to indulge in internecine groupism? An answer to the question is likely to emerge from the November 3 meeting. Till then, it is an uneasy calm that prevails in the Congress camps in the state. (IPA Service)