Congress cracks down on leaders behind pro-Satheesan demonstrations

T'puram: Congress leadership has initiated disciplinary proceedings against party leaders who organised public demonstrations in support of V D Satheesan, amid escalating tensions within the party over the leadership issue. KPCC has issued show-cause notices to around 15 leaders, seeking explanations for allegedly defying the party high command's directives.It is learnt that KPCC president Sunny Joseph has also submitted a report to All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Deepa Dasmunshi, highlighting what the party described as serious indiscipline by a section of leaders who organised protest marches despite clear instructions from All India Congress Committee and KPCC.The party leadership has reportedly taken serious note of an incident in which a flex board carrying the image of the late former chief minister Oommen Chandy was damaged during the protest march held in the state capital. The notices were issued to leaders accused of organising demonstrations challenging the party leadership's authority. Those who received notices include KPCC member Chempazhanthy Anil and INTUC Thiruvananthapuram district president V R Prathapan. Other leaders who were served notices include Kaimanam Prabhakaran, T Sanaj, Attingal Unnikrishnan and Ambiraj. A section of leaders from Idukki has also received notices.The disciplinary action follows a public show of strength organised in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday by workers backing Satheesan. In the notices, KPCC sought explanations from the leaders on why they violated party directives and participated in demonstrations seen as challenging the authority of the high command. The notices further warned that organisational action would be initiated if the explanations submitted are found unsatisfactory.Despite all these disciplinary actions, the protest marches continued in the state supporting Satheesan even on Saturday.