‘Sonia loyalist’ Thomas to attend seminar of Congress’ Kerala rival

A ‘Sonia Gandhi loyalist’, 7-time MP and former Union and State Minister KV Thomas has decided to attend a CPI-M seminar at his party Congress in Kannur. The Congress leadership threatened disciplinary action, but the CPI(M) offered him political patronage. There was talk that he might be made the LDF candidate for the upcoming assembly by-election in Thrikkakara. Thomas claimed he had no electoral ambitions.

The CPI-M had invited Congress leaders Thomas and Shashi Tharoor to a seminar on ‘Challenges of Federalism’, but the Kerala PCC leadership threatened disciplinary action citing its hostile relations with the CPI-M in Kerala.

“It was up to the Congress to take the decision. I am an AICC member and it is up to the AICC leadership to decide whether I should be sacked or not. I am not going anywhere. I am with Congress for at least 50 years. , ‘ he said in Kochi.

KPCC chief K Sudhakaran said the PCC would recommend his removal. Thomas alleged that he was ‘neglected and humiliated’ as he was ‘disgracefully’ denied the LS ticket and stripped of the PCC working chairman’s post. Thomas asked what was wrong with attending a seminar on the threat to federalism.

Originally published at Pen 18