New Delhi:
Congress’s VD Satheesan, aspirant for the top job in Kerala, has hardened his stance, sources close to him said, making it clear that he is not ready to accept any other post. And the top job for his is not exactly what the party’s central leadership has in mind.
The impasse, which has been on for a week, is reminiscent of the situation in Karnataka, where the top post became a bone of contention between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, leading the way to unending friction between the two and their supporters.
Sources have said the Congress Central leadership envisions Satheesan playing the role of a key minister within a government led by KC Venugopal, who is the choice of Rahul Gandhi. Ramesh Chennithala – another aspirant for the Chief Minister post — could potentially be appointed as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
But Satheesan – who is the choice of the people as well as the Congress’s Keral ally and UDF constituent IUML — is not ready to accept a secondary role.
Sources said to help solve the impasse, Rahul Gandhi has now convened a meeting tomorrow with former presidents and working presidents of the Kerala Congress.
