Oommen Chandy absent as VM Sudheeran takes charge as state party chief

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy remained absent when V M Sudheeran took over as Kerala PCC president at the party headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram today, fuelling speculation about his resentment over the choice of the state party unit chief by the high command.

Mr Chandy, however, rushed to the party headquarters soon after Mr Sudheeran assumed charge in the presence of other leaders, including his immediate predecessor Ramesh Chennithala with the explanation that he was held up in his office with some 'pressing work' which could not be deferred.

Talking to reporters sitting side-by-side, Mr Chandy and Mr Sudheeran sought to put across the message that they would work together in the coming days.

However, local media turned it into a hot debate suggesting it reflected Mr Chandy's resentment at the choice of Mr Sudheeran overlooking his views on the matter.

Some Congress leaders also said Mr Chandy should have made it to the party headquarters at the right time and avoided unnecessary interpretations his absence created in the media.

Bringing an end to over a month-long suspense, Mr Sudheeran was made PCC chief to lead the party in the Lok Sabha polls replacing Ramesh Chennithala, who joined the state cabinet as Home Minister last month.

Earlier, Assembly Speaker G Karthikeyan's name made the rounds in the media as a hot favourite for the key-post enjoying the support of both Mr Chandy and Mr  Chennithala.