Thiruvananthapuram: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Kerala is on the brink of a significant split, with the Thomas K. Thomas faction strongly considering joining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This internal division comes in the wake of a national-level split within the NCP.
The Thomas K. Thomas faction is expected to align itself with the NDA. A group from Kerala has opted to associate with leaders Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel at the all-India level. These developments are casting doubt on the positions held by PC Chacko and AK Saseendran within the state.
P Kunjikkannan, a member of the NCP National Executive Committee, accused PC Chacko of fostering sectarianism within the party and expressed concerns about his intentions to establish his own political party. Kunjikkannan criticized Chacko for acting autocratically and going against party regulations by advocating for AK Saseendran’s continuation as a minister for two and a half years. According to previous agreements, Thomas K Thomas was supposed to assume the ministerial role for the same duration, but many party members accuse PC Chacko of undermining this decision.
Kunjikkannan also levelled allegations of financial impropriety against PC Chacko, asserting that there is substantial evidence of such misconduct. He claimed that the NCP had not allocated funds properly and cited a substantial scandal in the purchase of land for the party office, alleging that PC Chacko had acquired the land in his name for his own office building. Furthermore, Kunjikkannan suggested that if PC Chacko were to leave the party, funds would be illicitly transferred to his advantage.
Kunjikkannan noted the ongoing changes within the party at the national level, including the rise of the Ajit Pawar-led faction in partnership with another political front. He stressed that this was in line with the party’s national policy. PC Chacko and Minister Saseendran had been present at the meeting when these decisions were made but chose to voice their objections only after the meeting had concluded. Kunjikkannan argued that, as disciplined party members, they should have adhered to the national-level stance. Praful Patel serves as the working president, and LA Mammootty has been entrusted with state-level responsibilities.
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