The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has raised concerns over a BJP study camp held at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Development Studies in Neyyar Dam. The BJP’s Kattakkada Assembly constituency committee conducted a two-day camp at the Congress-owned institution, leading to a political uproar.
Criticism arose as the BJP’s camp, inaugurated by former IPS officer R. Sreelekha, utilized the institute’s facilities. Congress members questioned the decision to rent out the hall of an institution established to promote Congress ideology for a BJP event. In response to protests, the KPCC General Secretary has formally requested an explanation from the institute’s management.
Party sources indicate that the leadership aims to determine if the decision to host the BJP camp was made without proper authorization and if any procedural irregularities occurred. Potential disciplinary actions may follow after a thorough review of the explanation provided. The institute’s officials, however, defended their actions, stating that they routinely rent out the hall to organizations regardless of political affiliations.
The Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Development Studies, founded during Ramesh Chennithala’s tenure as KPCC president, serves as the official research, policy, and education center for the Congress party. Modeled after the CPI(M)’s EMS Academy, the institute has historically hosted various Congress activities, including leadership meetings, training camps, and seminars. Despite the controversy, the institute’s officials maintain that the BJP’s booking was in line with their standard practice of renting out facilities.
