Senior Congress leader and permanent invitee to Congress Working Committee (CWC) Ramesh Chennithala has been invited to deliver keynote address at the Mannam Jayanthi celebrations organised by the Nair Service Society (NSS). While the NSS has maintained that Mr. Chennithala was invited as a people’s representative and prominent politician, the move marks the end to decade-long differences between the two.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Chennithala expressed his gratitude for the invitation extended by the NSS to participate in the Mannam Jayanthi celebrations. “There is no need to be in conflict in all situations, but to foster cooperation with everyone is my policy. I am delighted to attend the Mannam Jayanthi celebrations. I will definitely attend the event,” he said.
The differences between the NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair and Mr. Chennithala originated from disagreements during discussions about the latter’s induction into the State Cabinet led by the late Oommen Chandy. Although Mr. Nair had endorsed Mr. Chennithala, when the latter was serving as KPCC president, for a key position in the UDF ministry in January 2013, the latter backed out unilaterally. Although Mr. Chennithala was inducted as Home Minister a year later, the NSS leader remained steadfast in his stance.
Despite developing a rapport with Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who was invited to the Mannam Jayanthi celebrations in 2023, the community organisation now appears to be extending an olive branch to Mr. Chennithala after a long gap. The invite, meanwhile, serves as a much-needed relief for Mr. Chennithala, who has been facing crisis following the election debacle in Maharashtra, where he was in-charge of the Congress party.
Published – December 19, 2024 08:41 pm IST