Thiruvananthapuram: A section in the Congress, including Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, is up in arms against KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran for asking the UDF government to cancel the controversial order allowing Poabs group to pay basic tax on 830 acres of Karuna plantations in Nelliampathy. Mr Sudheeran has warned that there was no point in making amendments to the controversial order as the common people wanted the party to control the government.
At the KPCC executive meeting, Mr Chandy criticised Mr Sudheeran and cited that sanction was given to Karuna plantations to pay tax with conditions. Both the factions in the Congress have raised the issue before the AICC leadership attacking Mr Sudheeran for his stand against the government.
“Senior Congress leader A.K. Anotny had suggested to Sudheeran to lead the party unitedly in the run-up to the election. But unfortunately, Sudheeran has been taking stands that would destroy the unity in the party,” said a KPCC general secretary attached to the ‘I camp.
After the KPCC executive meeting, Mr Sudheeran told reporters, “the order should not be amended, it should be withdrawn completely. I had requested to withdraw the order when it was brought to my notice. A letter was given twice to Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash,” said Mr Sudheeran.
It was reported earlier that Mr Chandy had left the office-bearers’ meeting in a huff on Tuesday night. Mr Sudheeran told the executive meeting that he had to criticise the government when no action was taken.
“Mistakes happen from ministers’ side, it is quite natural. However, it is the party’s responsibility to rectify them. If ministers commit errors, they will have to correct them. It is the government’s responsibility to see that its functioning is transparent,” said Mr Sudheeran.
