Thiruvananthapuram: Amid bitter factional infighting, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) moved into damage control mode in Wayanad shortly after the district’s MP, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, visited the constituency. The party’s state unit had been reeling from internal discord for weeks before matters came to a head with the deaths of two of its functionaries by suicide, the latest on 12 September, a day after Priyanka’s arrival.
Around the same time, a relative of N.M. Vijayan, the former district Congress committee treasurer who died by suicide in December 2024 due to huge debts supposedly taken for party affairs, attempted suicide, alleging inaction from the party, which had promised to settle the dues.
With these issues casting a shadow on Priyanka Gandhi’s longest visit yet to her parliamentary constituency, the party swung into action and settled Vijayan’s debt, paying Rs 58,23,047 on 24 September, two days after Priyanka left Wayanad.
The party also removed Wayanad district Congress committee president N.D. Appachan, who held the post for over a decade across multiple stints and appointed T.J. Isaac in his place Thursday.
Lionel Mathew, president of Indian Youth Congress, told The Print that the party was addressing internal issues so they wouldn’t affect grassroots workers in the district, where the Congress has a strong presence, in the run-up to crucial local body and assembly polls.
“It’s also not right that such issues surfaced during Priyanka Gandhi’s visit. It’s not good to have negative news when she was having a productive visit, so we had to act,” Mathew said.
Also read: A home for Priyanka: Congress MP looks to build connect at grassroot level in Wayanad
Leadership change
A Congress functionary told ThePrint that Appachan informed the party of his decision to step down during a recent AICC meeting, which the party accepted. He said Priyanka didn’t interfere in the district’s local politics during the visit. “She doesn’t interfere in organisational matters. T.J. Isaac has experience and popularity. He will be able to solve the issues with everyone’s support,” the functionary said.
Mathew said Appachan was also facing anti-incumbency sentiment from local leaders. “Appachan was a senior leader who stayed in the role for over a decade. There was natural anti-incumbency, and he is also aged. His style was to wait and decide, which isn’t apt for current times.”
He added that a leadership change was due anyway as part of the reshuffle expected across districts. He explained the delay in settling Vijayan’s debt was natural as the party needs permission from its members to use its funds for the purpose, which he said was done purely on “moral grounds”.
On Friday, Appachan also said he had informed the KPCC of his willingness to step down earlier, and his resignation was accepted. “I will follow the party’s decision. I had told them I was facing financial and other difficulties,” he told the media in the district, adding that AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal and KPCC chief Sunny Joseph had spoken to him.
He maintained that he had no involvement in the recent politicial controversies.
An unusual visit amid rumblings
Priyanka Gandhi’s 10-day visit was different from her usual visits, which focused on public meetings and rallies. This time, she concentrated on grassroots work, which involved visiting Anganwadis, farmers, prominent personalities and community leaders.
Her brother, Rahul Gandhi, and mother Sonia Gandhi joined her for three days during the visit, which state Congress leaders termed as ‘personal.’ However, the Gandhi family’s visit to Wayanad grabbed much attention in the state and outside for the wrong reasons.
A day after her arrival on 11 September, local Congress leader and Mullankolly panchayat member Jose Nelledam was found dead in a pond after consuming poison and slitting his wrists.
Nelledam had earlier been questioned by police in connection with the arrest of another Congress worker, Thankachan, who was jailed for 17 days for allegedly possessing liquor and explosives. He was later acquitted, after finding he was falsely implicated due to internal rivalry allegedly involving Nelledam. Thankachan also reportedly said that the then DCC president Appachan was aware of the conspiracy against him.
The following day, the Congress was rocked by another crisis when Vijayan’s daughter-in-law, Padmaja Vijesh, attempted suicide.
Vijayan and his son, Jijesh, had died by suicide in December 2024. They were under heavy debt, which the family said was taken for party matters. Although Congress had agreed to settle the dues, delays in action forced Padmaja’s attempt.
Though Priyanka Gandhi stayed in the district for nearly 10 days, she did not meet the family of either Nelledam or Vijayan. She also stayed away from making any public statements on the matter.
The Congress only swung into action to address the issues after her departure.
Mathew added that Priyanka is planning mass initiatives using CSR funds in the district, as government funds alone won’t be enough to address its issues.
“She has studied the sectors and initiatives thoroughly. Her visit involved this planning, and Wayanad will see more initiatives now,” he said, adding that her focus on grassroots work and avoiding public events may have upset some workers.
(Edited by Sugita Katyal)
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