Thiruvananthapuram: The KPCC has called a leadership meeting on April 19 for the first time after M. M. Hassan took over as acting president. Already there is bickering within the party on his response to the CPM's claim that a few Congress leaders would join the BJP soon. The DCC presidents’ meeting will also be held prior to the office-bearers’ meeting at Indira Bhavan. Former chief minister Oommen Chandy is firm on his stand on holding organisational elections. But Mr Mullapally Ramachandran, who is the AICC chairman of the election authority as well as the Vatakara MP, had sought more time for the polls in 29 states and seven union territories.

“Mullapally has sought one more year’s time to hold the organisational elections as they can’t be held in one state alone,” said a KPCC general secretary. Senior Congress leader A.K. Antony had said in Malappuram that Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will become president soon. AICC in-charge P. C. Chacko also said the same. Once Mr Rahul Gandhi assumes party leadership, those like Oommen Chandy are hopeful of expediting the organisational elections.