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I maintain strong relationships with all community leaders: Ramesh Chennithala

I maintain strong relationships with all community leaders: Ramesh Chennithala

Thiruvananthapuram: Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Sunday highlighted his long-standing ties with community organisations, responding to discussions about prominent leaders supporting him as the chief ministerial candidate for the Assembly elections. 2026. Speaking to the media, Chennithala said, “As KPCC president, leader of opposition and home minister, I have always maintained good relations with the community organizations, which is essential for any public servant. »

Chennithala expressed pride at being invited as a keynote speaker at the birth anniversary celebrations of Mannathu Padmanabhan, the founder of the Nair Service Society (NSS), PTI reported. “It’s up to the organizers to decide who to invite. I feel both happy and proud to participate in the Mannam Jayanti meeting,” he said.

The NSS invitation has fueled speculation about a change in dynamics within the Congress party in the run-up to the national elections. In 2013, NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair had publicly sought a leading role for Chennithala in the Oommen Chandy-led Congress government, but Chennithala had refused, expressing reluctance to be identified as a community leader. This had been straining their relationship for some time.

SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan also intervened, expressing support for Chennithala. Responding to Natesan’s comments, Chennithala noted that community leaders play an important role in society and he respects their opinions. “Community organizations have the right to express their views on who should become the chief minister,” he added.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K Sudhakaran echoed the sentiment, saying organizations have the right to share their views. Sudhakaran clarified that the party is yet to discuss its chief ministerial candidate as the focus remains on strengthening the Congress to ensure victory in the 2026 elections.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan remarked that NSS’s invitation to Chennithala could be beneficial for the Congress party. Responding to Vellappally Natesan’s criticism, Satheesan said, “I never believed that I was above criticism”, highlighting his openness to divergent views.