Chennithala meets Rahul Gandhi, says 'Will work for Congress without any position'

Former Leader of Opposition in Kerala Ramesh Chennithala on Friday met former Congress President Rahul Gandhi at his residence, 12 Tughlaq Lane, here in Delhi. The meeting comes after Chennithala made public his protest against the moves taken by the party's state unit after facing a defeat in the Assembly Elections.

New Delhi: Former Leader of Opposition in Kerala Ramesh Chennithala on Friday met former Congress President Rahul Gandhi at his residence, 12 Tughlaq Lane, here in Delhi. The meeting comes after Chennithala made public his protest against the moves taken by the party's state unit after facing a defeat in the Assembly Elections. He indirectly raised objections against the party high command over the decision of appointment for Leader of Opposition and Kerala Congress Chief.

He had even written a letter expressing his grievances, in which he stated that he felt "humiliated" over the way party leadership handled this matter. After that only he has been summoned to Delhi. However, while addressing the media, Chennithala said today that he is ready to work under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi even though he doesn't have any position.

"For half an hour, I had a discussion with Rahul Ji. Recently, the Congress-led UDF has contested the elections. So there is a change of guards for CLP and PCC. There was a certain misunderstanding about that. I explained everything to Rahul Ji. I'm satisfied and under his leadership, our party will march ahead," he told the reporters.

He also informed that Rahul Gandhi will speak to Oommen Chandy as well today. Chennithala assured that Chandy would also stand by any decision taken by the Gandhis. As per the sources within Congress, Chennithala may get a key post of AICC General Secretary of either Punjab or Gujarat as both states will go to polls next year. When asked about the matter, he replied, "The first priority is obviously Kerala. But I will accept whatever responsibility is given to me by the leadership."

The move can also be seen as an attempt by the Central leadership to give a free hand to LoP V D Satheesan and recently appointed Kerala Congress Chief K Sudhakaran, for the functioning of the party's state unit.