AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal arrives to inaugurate the Gen India Movement Padayatra organised by the Youth Congress in Kollam on Friday. Sports Minister O.J. Janeesh is also seen.
| Photo Credit: C. SURESHKUMAR
All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K.C. Venugopal on Friday refused to be drawn into the controversy over the latest differences within the Congress in Keralam, aired openly by United Democratic Front (UDF) convener Adoor Prakash on Thursday.
Responding to media queries at Adoor, Mr. Venugopal said that organisational matters and differences of opinion between leaders should be discussed and resolved within the party rather than in public.
His remarks came amid intense media speculation about the internal crisis brewing within the ruling UDF, with Mr. Prakash choosing to openly criticise Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s manner of functioning and his unilateral decision-making on various counts without consulting within the UDF or Congress leaders.
Mr. Venugopal also took exception to the manner in which “some quarters” eagerly chose to link him personally with every political controversy and personal views expressed by Congress leaders.
“Why is my name being dragged into everything? Are you people not done making Venugopal the accused in every controversy?” he asked.
Mr. Venugopal said that in the past four months, he had neither made any statement nor raised any criticism against the UDF government.
Mr. Venugopal’s comments seemed to be in response to the speculation that Mr. Prakash’s criticism and comments against Mr. Satheesan had his backing.
Resolved through discussions
He said that minor differences within the Congress would be resolved through discussions among the party leadership.
“Congress is a democratic party. It is not a political party that chooses to hack someone to death just because he had differences of opinion. Those who have differences of opinion will be heard in appropriate forums,” he said.
Mr. Venugopal reiterated that organisational matters should be discussed within the Congress and that he was not in agreement with people choosing to take such discussions outside. There were forums within the party to raise such issues and issues that could not be resolved there can be brought to the attention of the leadership, he added
About the appointment of a new KPCC president, Mr. Venugopal said that the KPCC had a strong president in Sunny Joseph and that any decision regarding the KPCC leadership would be taken by the AICC president.
‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ campaign
Mr. Venugopal also announced a nationwide “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao” campaign from October 2 to 8, in coordination with major political parties and leaders of the INDIA bloc, to protest against the threats to democracy and people’s right to vote.
He said MPs would lead a march in New Delhi on October 6 and that leaders would court arrest as part of the agitation.
He said that this was a fight to throw out the “fraudulent” Election Commission and to make Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah accountable to the nation’s citizens.
He said that the Congress in Keralam has been able to mount strong protests against the Centre, referring to the black-flag protests against Mr. Shah. At a time when even one’s right to suffrage was being threatened, it was important that a united response was put up against such threats, he added.
Published – October 02, 2026 08:43 pm IST
