The appointment of Mullappally Ramachandran as Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president may have surprised many, but he is believed to have the backing of the opposing factions of the party in Kerala. Factionalism is, undoubtedly, the biggest challenge the Congress is facing in the state today. The 73-year-old leader spoke to THE WEEK on factionalism in the Congress in Kerala, and the challenges ahead:
The Congress in Kerala is filled with factionalism. Will you put an end to it?
Yes, that is a sad reality, unfortunately [that there is factionalism]. But it can't be changed overnight. However, there will be a sincere approach from my side to end factionalism in the Congress in Kerala. I don't belong to any group. We will work together with the spirit of equality. Our primary goal is to ensure that the Congress returns to power at the Centre in 2019 and in Kerala in 2021.
What are your immediate priorities?
Our immediate priority is to win as many seats as we can in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. I have set no target. But we will make an impact for sure in Kerala and work unitedly towards achieving all our goals.
Is the BJP a threat in Kerala?
The BJP is not a major threat in Kerala. But I admit that it is a powerful force in certain places in the state.
Majority of the new KPCC office-bearers are Hindus. Was such a decision taken by the high command to appease the Hindu community in the state?
I don’t believe that is the case. It was by chance and not by design.
