Date:16/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/16/stories/2005051609510400.htm

Kerala

First phase of Congress polls passes off peacefully

Special Correspondent

Consensus is the theme of the day

Elections to 22,000 booth committees held
Committee of senior leaders monitoring the polls

KPCC president's election on May 25

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first phase of the Congress party's organisational election passed off peacefully. Elections to an estimated 22,000 booth committees across the State were held in the first phase with consensus as the theme of the day.

The organisational elections assume significance in the context of the split in the party and the formation of the National Congress (I) by the veteran leader, K. Karunakaran. The party leadership apparently took great pains to ensure that there was virtually no dispute in accommodating former `I' group workers who chose to stay put in the party.

The KPCC executive held last week in Thiruvananthapuram had taken the decision to accommodate all `I' group workers in the positions they held prior to the split. Vacancies caused by those who joined Mr. Karunakaran's party were filled up on the basis of competence and suitability of candidates. In several places, suitable candidates from other parts of a particular district were inducted in such vacancies. The elections were held according to the membership list that was prepared prior to the split. The party leadership's stand was to convey the impression that the split did not affect its base. Only the names of known Karunakaran supporters, including that of Mr. Karunakaran, had been removed from the membership list to facilitate the conduct of elections.According to the KPCC general secretary, Mullapally Ramachandran, who is in charge of the organisational affairs, a committee of senior leaders monitored the elections in respective districts. In several booths, the committees arrived at consensus much before the time fixed for polling if necessary. Some areas in Palakkad and Malappuram witnessed disputes, but were sorted out. Mr. Ramachandran said that the KPCC had given the assurance that it would not hesitate to intervene in the event of any complaints regarding ignoring the claims of the `I' group.

He said that sufficient care had been taken to provide a competent candidate in places where there was no one belonging to the `I' group. Elections to the mandalam committees would be held in the next phase on May 17, that of block committees on May 20, that of the district committees on May 23. The KPCC president's election would be held on May 25.