Kottayam (Kerala) | Senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan on Thursday appreciated the party's High Command for adopting a clear process to select the next Chief Minister of Kerala.
Speaking to reporters, Radhakrishnan, who is an elected legislator from Kottayam, said the High Command had heard everyone, with Rahul Gandhi directly involved in the process.
"This is a process with clarity which cannot be questioned by anyone. In a democracy, only such a process can be followed. I express my happiness to the High Command for it," Radhakrishnan said.
He said confusion in selecting a leader from multiple names is natural.
"It cannot be said that in a democratic party every person should have the same opinion. Here, the Congress party has a coordinating force, which is its leadership. The party leadership adopted all processes, including the meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), meetings in New Delhi, and further discussions. After all the processes, the leadership is going to announce its final decision," he said.
He said that, despite the CLP assigning the High Command the final decision, detailed discussions were held subsequently.
Radhakrishnan said he would support any decision, even if his suggested name is not approved.
"Being a party man, it is my duty to obey my High Command," he said.
He said that after the CLP leader is selected, a letter has to be given to the Governor to invite a person to form the government.
"As part of the process, the letter by MLAs or the leader of the respective party supporting the front to form the government has to be given to the Governor," he said.
Regarding NSS general secretary G Sukumaran's criticism that the UDF ally, the Indian Union Muslim League, had intervened in Congress matters over the selection of the Chief Minister, Radhakrishnan said he did not want to ignite a controversy at this point.
"I have never felt that the NSS general secretary has taken a wrong stand. If he has taken a stand, there might be some valid reasons for it. But the Congress is adopting a process which we approve," he said.
He added that after the Governor invites the front to form the government, a decision regarding the swearing-in ceremony will be taken.