Ahead of Kerala Assembly polls, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala steps up community connect, party sees strategic role

A surprise visit by Ramesh Chennithala, chairperson of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) election campaign committee, to the headquarters of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and the Nair Service Society (NSS) in Kottayam on Wednesday set off a fresh round of political speculation.

During the visits taken out in the morning, Mr. Chennithala held discussions with Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, supreme head of the Orthodox Church, and NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair. He also paid floral tributes at Mannam Samadhi in Perunna, memorial of Mannathu Padmanabhan, NSS founder.

The timing of the visits raised eyebrows, as they coincided with the ongoing Puthuyuga Yatra led by Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan in Kottayam district. Both Mr. Chennithala and Mr. Satheesan, however rejected any speculations.

Mr. Chennithala maintained that his meetings at the Orthodox Church headquarters and the NSS were entirely devoid of political motives. “I have shared a strong rapport with the Catholicos since my tenure as an MP from Kottayam. Whenever I am here, I make it a point to meet him. Devalokam is a place close to my heart, and I am a regular visitor. During our interaction, the Catholicos conveyed the Church’s concerns on various matters,” he said, adding that the visit also helped reinforce his longstanding ties with the community.

He further noted that he had been visiting Mannam Samadhi every year since his student days in Changanassery to pay respects on the anniversary of Mannathu Padmanabhan.

Satheesan’s stance

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Mr. Satheesan said there was nothing unusual about Mr. Chennithala calling on the Orthodox Church leadership.

Congress insiders suggested that at a time when certain community organisations appeared to be maintaining a cautious distance from Mr. Satheesan, Mr. Chennithala had stepped up direct engagement with influential social leaderships. A senior leader said his heightened political activity ahead of the elections should be viewed in light of his appointment by the party high command as chairperson of the election campaign committee. “His recent engagements are part of fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to him by the party leadership,” the leader added.