Idukki District Congress Committee (DCC) president C.P. Mathew has taken disciplinary action against four party activists who organised a march in support of V.D. Satheesan as Kerala’s next Chief Minister. The protest, intended to show public support, took place at Mangattukavala, near Thodupuzha, on Thursday night.

The DCC observed that the march was a violation of the party high command’s directives. Consequently, Mr. Mathew removed V.E. Thajudheen, DCC general secretary; Rajesh Babu, Congress Thodupuzha West mandalam president; Robin Myladi, Congress block secretary; and Joy Myladi, Karshaka Thozhilali Federation State secretary from their respective party positions.

The move followed reports that the activists had used a DCC WhatsApp group to call for the protest. Following this, KPCC general secretary Nisha Soman reportedly demanded the DCC president to take firm action against those involved.

The DCC president’s decision has sparked a major internal friction among Congress leaders and workers. Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose expressed strong dissatisfaction over the disciplinary measures, labelling them “unethical.”

Selective action

“Such marches have been witnessed in various parts of the State, yet only in Idukki has the DCC leadership acted against the workers,” Mr. Kuriakose said. “The removal of these local leaders from their posts is unethical. These protests are purely emotional, and the leadership must understand the sentiments of the grassroots workers,” he said.

He further emphasised that the hard work of local activists was instrumental in the Congress party’s recent stunning victory in the State. “The party leadership should respect the feelings of the workers. Senior leaders have also made public statements, yet no action was taken against them,” he added.