The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has given dissident leader Professor K. V. Thomas a week to show cause why the party should not initiate disciplinary action against him for participating in a Communist Party of India (Marxist) seminar despite a diktat from the high command to turn down the invitation.
AICC's disciplinary committee, led by Congress Working Committee member A. K. Antony, met in New Delhi to weigh action against two leaders, including Sunil Jakhar, for suspected anti-party activities.
AICC general secretary in charge of Kerala Tariq Anwar was also present. Mr. Anwar said the AICC had issued notices to leaders to explain why the party should exempt them from punitive action.
Meanwhile, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K. Sudhakaran and Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan fiercely denounced Prof. Thomas.
Mr. Sudhakaran said Prof. Thomas had lost the trust of Congress workers by clandestinely cavorting with the CPI(M) for almost a year. He had dishonoured the memory of Congress martyrs who had lost their lives to Marxist violence.
Prof. Thomas had pursued a secret political agenda antagonistic to the Congress for long. He had gained much from the Congress but gave deceit in return. His glad-handing of CPI(M) leaders at the party congress venue had hurt the families of Congress martyrs.
Mr. Satheesan said Prof. Thomas's vacillations over accepting the CPI(M) invite reminded the Congress of Judas's betrayal of Jesus Christ for a few silver coins. "Easter is not far, and resurrection is imminent and inevitable".
Both leaders said the KPCC had as a block demanded stringent action against Prof. Thomas. Meanwhile, Congress workers at Kumbalangi buried the veteran leader in effigy.
Congress supporters took to social media in strength to disparage Prof. Thomas's perceived shift to the Left.
Prof. Thomas claimed that the incumbent KPCC leadership had victimised him for his opinions. He had done nothing against the party. The veteran said he would give a detailed reply to the AICC's notice and remained a Congress worker at heart.
