The Congress leadership in Kerala stepped in on Friday after supporters of opposition leader V D Satheesan held demonstrations across the state demanding that he be made the next chief minister. The protests allegedly involved tearing down posters and flex boards of AICC leader K C Venugopal, who is also in contention for the post.
Party Directive and Continued Rallies
Although the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) directed Congress workers to refrain from holding demonstrations and erecting flex boards in support of any leader, rallies pledging support to Satheesan continued into the evening. In the afternoon, a large crowd gathered at Palayam in Thiruvananthapuram, holding posters and placards backing Satheesan and raising slogans in his favour. Some among them allegedly tore down flex boards erected in support of Venugopal in front of the state secretariat.
Support Across Districts
In Malappuram, Congress workers carrying party flags displayed banners reading "Secular Kerala is with VD Satheesan." A rally was held in Thrissur, where supporters of the Leader of Opposition carried banners stating, "The one who led the (poll) battle should lead the state." Smaller rallies were reported in various parts of Kozhikode and Kasaragod.
In Kottayam, Congress workers took to the streets in Pampady. Panchayat head Siju K Isaac stated that workers who had toiled hard for the party's victory were on the streets today, and Congress should not face the same fate as the CPM.
