KOCHI: BJP state chief K Surendran and Union Minister V Muraleedharan faced severe criticism from their colleagues at the party core committee meeting held here on Sunday.
The leaders, who supported former state president PK Krishnadas, alleged that crucial party decisions were taken by Muraleedharan, Surendran and general secretary in-charge M Ganeshan alone while others were ignored. The leaders demanded a comprehensive rejig in the organisation.
The core committee has all the four state General Secretaries as members, along with all former state chiefs. With the state party is divided into factions headed by Union Minister V. Muraleedharan, and former state chief P.K. Krishnadas, the meeting was stormy.
Another charge was that the candidate selection process was opaque and the state leadership failed to field proper candidates, leading to the wipeout. The BJP had drawn a blank in the 2021 Assembly elections, even losing the Nemom seat it had won in 2016.
The rival faction raised the allegations levelled by BSP candidate K. Sundara, who had withdrawn his nominations from Manjeswar Assembly constituency from where Surendran contested, telling the media that he was given Rs 2.5 lakh and a smartphone to pull back. He said that he was also offered Rs 15 lakh, a home, and a wine parlour in Karnataka if Surendran wins.
Surendran and Muraleedharan, however, contended that the party candidates were finalised in the best interests of the party.
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