Murmurs of dissent bedevil Youth Congress’s new leadership

Murmurs of dissent appeared to bedevil the new leadership of the Youth Congress (YC) in Kerala on Tuesday.

Abin Varkey, who had been the Youth Congress vice-president, was widely reckoned to succeed Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil after the latter resigned as president following accusations of serial sexual misconduct in August.

However, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) seemed to have sprung a surprise on Sunday by nominating O. Jinesh and Binu Chulliyil as Youth Congress State president and working president respectively. It simultaneously elevated Mr. Varkey and K.M. Abhijith, another strong contender for the YC State president post, as the organisation’s national secretaries, in an arguable bid to prevent the possibility of mutiny.

Nevertheless, Mr. Varkey seemed to signal his disenchantment with the decision on Tuesday. He said he preferred to work in Kerala and had requested that the YC national leadership to relieve him of his national duties. “I want to continue the Opposition’s fight against the Pinarayi Vijayan government in the crucial election year,” he added. 

When asked whether the AICC’s compulsion to make caste and religious accommodations in top posts resulted in his omission, Mr. Varkey said being born a Christian was not his fault. “Congress workers swear that the blood that runs through their veins is neither Christian, Muslim nor Hindu, but human,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Varkey appeared to find support from Hibi Eden, MP. Mr. Eden told reporters in Kochi that Mr. Varkey should have naturally succeeded Mr. Mamkootathil as the YC State president, given the latter’s tenure as the organisation’s vice-president. “When the Youth Congress president resigns, the vice-president fills the vacancy by default,” he added. 

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph signalled that the party was unlikely to consider Mr. Varkey’s request. Ideally, he stated, Mr. Varkey should take a cue from AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal. “Mr. Venugopal’s organisational responsibilities at the national level do not preclude him from executing his political duties in Kerala,” he said.

Mathew Kuzhalnadan, MLA, backed Mr. Jinesh. He said Mr. Jinesh had worked his way to the top position. “Social media reels did not propel him into the top position,” Mr. Kuzhalnadan said. 

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan appeared loath to take sides. He said the Youth Congress’s new State leadership was capable. Mr. Jinesh said the YC’s leadership was collective and consensus was the organisation’s watchword.