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Kerala Congress Seeks Compromise After Chirayinkeezhu Factional Clash
The Congress party in Kerala had a serious disagreement in Chirayinkeezhu.
Aides and local party leaders were involved in a physical fight.
Many local leaders said MLA Ramya Haridas's aide, Palayam Pradeep, interfered too much in party work.
Haridas and Pradeep said another group had assaulted them.
The party investigated complaints from both sides.
It suspended Pradeep and S. Sajad, but decided not to punish Haridas further.
Leaders want Haridas to work with local party members and stop using Pradeep as her aide.
They hope this will end the quarrel and reduce embarrassment for the party.
The Kerala Congress leadership decided not to take disciplinary action against Chirayinkeezhu MLA Ramya Haridas.
The party is expected to direct Haridas to stop using aide Palayam Pradeep in political activities.
Pradeep and Congress leader S. Sajad were suspended after a physical confrontation and an inquiry.
Both sides filed competing complaints alleging assault and blamed the other side for the confrontation.
The leadership wants to reconcile the factions and end a dispute that embarrassed the Congress.
- Who
- Chirayinkeezhu MLA Ramya Haridas, her aide Palayam Pradeep, local Congress leaders including S. Sajad and Sajad Muttappalam, and Kerala Congress leaders.
- What
- The Congress is seeking to settle a factional dispute and physical confrontation while removing Pradeep from Haridas's political activities.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the Chirayinkeezhu constituency in Kerala; one alleged confrontation occurred at Sajad Muttappalam's residence.
- When
- The decision followed an inquiry and disciplinary proceedings announced the previous day.
- Why
- Local leaders said Pradeep's involvement in constituency affairs caused friction, while the leadership wants to prevent further damage to the party's image.
Local Leaders' Allegations
Haridas-Pradeep's Allegations
Cause of the dispute
Local Leaders' Allegations
Local Congress leaders said Pradeep interfered excessively in constituency-level party affairs and that his presence at meetings and public programmes exceeded an aide's role.
Haridas-Pradeep's Allegations
Haridas and Pradeep disputed the allegations and maintained that the opposing group was responsible for the confrontation.
Account of the confrontation
Local Leaders' Allegations
The opposing side alleged that a group including Haridas and Pradeep went to Sajad Muttappalam's residence late at night and physically assaulted him.
Haridas-Pradeep's Allegations
Haridas and Pradeep alleged that Muttappalam called them to his house and assaulted them.
Party response
Local Leaders' Allegations
Local leaders' complaints contributed to disciplinary proceedings against Pradeep and S. Sajad after the inquiry reviewed both sides' claims.
Haridas-Pradeep's Allegations
The leadership chose not to take further action against Haridas and instead plans to remove Pradeep as the main source of friction.
Key facts
- MLA involved
- Ramya Haridas, Chirayinkeezhu MLA
- Proposed measure
- Haridas is expected to stop using Palayam Pradeep as her aide and distance him from political activities.
- Suspended members
- Palayam Pradeep and S. Sajad were suspended from the party's primary membership.
- Inquiry findings
- The committee examined complaints and counter-complaints and recorded statements from six DCC office bearers and two block Congress presidents.
- Competing allegations
- One side alleged that Haridas and Pradeep went to Muttappalam's residence and caused a confrontation; the other alleged that Muttappalam called them there and assaulted them.
- Leadership response
- K.C. Venugopal advised Haridas to coordinate with local Congress leaders and avoid factionalism.
- Reason for settlement
- State leaders said the incidents had embarrassed the Congress and damaged its image.
Sources
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