Thiruvananthapuram | Congress leader M K Raghavan on Saturday said those who targeted AICC general secretary K C Venugopal derived "self-satisfaction" from doing so.

Raghavan was speaking to reporters after meeting Venugopal at his residence here.

Venugopal had faced criticism in the form of protest rallies, flex boards and a cyber campaign after his name was considered, along with V D Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala, for the Chief Minister's post.

There were also reports that a majority of Congress MLAs backed Venugopal, even though he did not contest the Assembly election.

On his arrival in Thiruvananthapuram earlier, Venugopal had said he felt "torn apart" following the campaign against him.

"He was attacked and there is nothing left to do. Some may have self-satisfaction, let them have it," Raghavan said.

When asked who was behind the attacks, he did not give a direct reply, saying, "Those who did it." On whether it was a planned attack by a faction within the Congress, he declined to comment.

Raghavan said the party would conduct an inquiry into the incidents.

Asked whether the party supported Venugopal for the Chief Minister's post, he said the matter was a "closed chapter".

"There is no need to reopen it. It is a closed chapter," he said.

Raghavan also said he would extend full support to Chief Minister-designate V D Satheesan.

"The decision of the AICC is final and binding on everyone. The V D Satheesan government will move forward strongly with the support of all," he said.

On the differences involving Ramesh Chennithala after he was denied the Chief Minister's post, Raghavan said the issue would be resolved through discussions.

"It will end soon," he added.