Chandy (left) and Chennithala: friction.

IANS/Thiruvananthapuram

Is Kerala politics all about camps? The polarisation between V S Achuthanandan and Pinarayi Vijayan loyalists in the opposition Communist Party of India (Marxist) is old news, but the ruling Congress appears to be no better with the increasing friction between the Oommen Chandy and Ramesh Chennithala factions.

The question whether Chief Minister Chandy would include party president Chennithala, it seems, has destroyed the peace in the party. And the issue has now been tossed to the national leadership for a decision.

Media hype had added to the confusion with nearly a dozen TV channels and others speculating that Chennithala’s induction into the cabinet was imminent after he finished his statewide campaign on May 18, the second anniversary of the Congress-led government. Tension grew with talk that he wanted the home portfolio.

Party spokesman M M Hassan added to the buzz when he said: “It’s true that Thampanoor Ravi, Benny Behenan and myself had talked with Chennithala and Chandy on this issue.”

“We never said that Chennithala should be given this portfolio or that portfolio. Chandy said he would be only glad if Chennithala joins his team. We met both these leaders not on the basis of any particular Congress faction,” Hassan said.

Ravi, Behenan and Hassan are considered strong Chandy loyalists.

Party insiders say the majority faction in the Congress is controlled by Chandy’s close aides. The other camp is a grouping once led by K Karunakaran and now controlled by Chennithala.

“There is a vested interest group that is hell bent on creating trouble and does not want Chennithala to become a minister. They are creating all this unnecessary confusion,” Hassan added.

The friction in the party began when Chennithala decided to contest the assembly polls in April 2011. This came as a shock to Chandy and his supporters.

“The issue remains the same and only the actors have changed in the state unit of the Congress Party. The issue as always is ‘power’ and the leaders here have never been able to share power in an equitable manner,” said a top Congress leader who did not wish to be identified.

While Chandy has no issue in giving a berth to Chennithala, the point of contention appears to be the home portfolio.

For almost three decades, the practice has been that the chief minister keeps home to himself.

“It’s most unfortunate that Chennithala is being humiliated. This should end for the good of the party here. We have nothing against the leadership of Chandy,” said legislator Joseph Vazhakkan, who is close to Chennithala.

The national leadership has asked Defence Minister A K Antony to intervene to sort out the issue. He is expected to talk to both Chandy and Chennithala.

While Chandy has said all issues would be sorted out through talks, the Chennithala faction knows it is in a minority and the leadership has to intervene to get what it wants.

Convener of the Congress-led United Democratic Front P P Thankachan has said issues would be sorted out during a meeting of all leaders on May 30.