Kerala Congress faces hurdles as DCC revamp sparks consensus row
The Kerala Congress is facing a major hurdle as it gears up to revamp its district committees (DCCs) ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha polls. The exercise, aimed at strengthening the party’s organization and leadership, has hit a roadblock with leaders failing to reach a consensus on the fate of incumbent DCC presidents in key districts.
According to sources, state leaders have confirmed that most DCC presidents will be replaced, but moves are afoot to retain incumbents in at least five districts – Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur, and Ernakulam. This has sparked a consensus row, with factional leaders digging in their heels and refusing to budge.
The controversy has left the party’s state leadership in a bind, with some leaders pushing for a complete overhaul of the DCCs to inject fresh blood and energy into the organization. Others, however, are backing the retention of the current crop of leaders, citing their experience and understanding of the local political landscape.
The controversy has taken a toll on the party’s morale, with some leaders privately expressing frustration at the lack of progress on the DCC revamp. “We are stuck in a mess,” said a senior party leader, who wished to remain anonymous. “We can’t make up our minds on who should stay and who should go. It’s affecting our preparations for the polls.”
The Congress has been struggling to regain its footing in Kerala, where it has lost ground to the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) in recent years. The party’s poor performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, when it won just one seat, has only added to its woes.
In an effort to revitalize the party, the state leadership has been pushing for a comprehensive revamp of the DCCs, which are seen as the backbone of the party’s organization. The plan is to replace the existing leadership with new, energetic, and committed leaders who can connect with the masses and build a strong grassroots network.
However, the process has been slowed down by the refusal of some leaders to step down. In some districts, the incumbent leaders have been lobbying hard to retain their positions, citing their experience and track record of success.
In Kannur, for instance, the incumbent DCC president, K.P. Saseendran, is said to be keen to continue in his role, despite being a controversial figure in the party. Saseendran has been involved in a series of public spats with other party leaders, but has managed to maintain a strong support base among local party workers.
Similarly, in Kozhikode, the incumbent DCC president, K.V. Shiju, is said to be seeking to retain his position, despite being criticized by some party leaders for his lack of organizational skills.
The controversy has also led to a rift within the party, with some leaders accusing others of being beholden to the existing leadership and refusing to make tough decisions. “Some leaders are more interested in protecting their own interests than in strengthening the party,” said a party worker from Thrissur, who wished to remain anonymous. “It’s a shame that we are unable to take bold decisions to revitalize the party.”
Despite the challenges, the Congress is determined to push ahead with the DCC revamp. The party’s state leadership has promised to finalize the new DCC presidents by the end of the month, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
In the meantime, the party is working to build a strong grassroots network, with a focus on reaching out to marginalized communities and building alliances with other political parties and social organizations.
As the controversy surrounding the DCC revamp continues to simmer, the Congress is under pressure to deliver on its promise of reviving the party’s fortunes in Kerala. The stakes are high, with the party’s very survival dependent on its performance in the Lok Sabha polls.
Will the Congress be able to overcome its internal differences and emerge stronger from the DCC revamp? Only time will tell.
