Congress a house divided in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram:  The row over the Congress leaders distancing themselves from Tharoor’s campaign deepens even after Tharoor complained to the party biggies.

Soon after Tharoor’s grouse, the state committee received plaint against him as well. In his complaint Tharoor shared concern about absence of some key campaign managers.

Meanwhile, leaders who had earlier worked for Tharoor informed the state committee of their dissent over Tharoor’s style.

Tharoor brought to high command’s attention the lack of interest among Congress workers loyal to some leaders.

Campaigning has been dampened in the areas including Central assembly constituency where majority community votes would be a critical factor.

Tharoor apprised Congress High command of the situation via AK Antony who is currently in the state.  KPCC directed district leaders to set right lapses, if any.

District leaders, however, attributed the workers’ cold response to Tharoor’s working style; his personal staff keeps party workers and leaders at arm’s length.  Also, he is not taking the lead in coordinating workers from booth level through ranks of the party.

Dissenting leaders said that pivoting on anti-Modi feeling alone would not help ensure victory.  In the event of failure, Tharoor himself would have to take the onus of it, they warned. However, the state leaders attributed the situation in Congress to a conspiracy by Sangh Parivar.  

Causing headache to leadership, dissent over Tharoor’s style builds up in both Kazhakuttam and Vattiyurkavu, aside from Thiruvananthapuram Central assembly constituency.

Meanwhile, Tharoor faction complains of conspicuous absence of one particular leader based in Kazhakuttam. After Vattiyurkav MLA K. Muralidharan shifted to Vadakara, Tharoor’s campaigning got dampened here too.