AK Antony calls for unity in Congress

Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress in the state has begun preparing for the elections with a call for party unity by Defence Minister A.K. Antony and the ground being prepared for Ramesh Chennithala to join the Oommen Chandy government.

At the same time, the draft election manifesto prepared by the KPCC has suggested giving ‘relief to the kitchen’ by providing 12 LPG cylinders to all the families at subsidised rates.

Antony urged the Congress leaders and the government to work unitedly in view of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

He asked the party leaders to settle the differences of opinion within the party itself without allowing them to reach dangerous levels.

He was addressing the party workers after receiving a copy of the election manifesto prepared by the three-member sub-committee set up by the KPCC.

Antony warned that if partymen can’t remain united, they should get ready to perish.

Meanwhile, speculation is rife that KPCC chief Ramesh Chennithala may join the Chandy government to try to avoid a drubbing for the party in the Lok Sabha elections.

Warning KPCC leaders who are embroiled in group politics, Antony said that if they remained united, they could reap rich dividends. 

The problems in the party should be  solved collectively. “Unity is important for strengthening the party. If we move unitedly, the New Year will be the party’s. The party should create a conducive environment to face the New Year challenges,” he said.

When reporters asked him about the possibility of Chennithala  joining the cabinet, he said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Chennithala were the apt persons to answer it.

Congress sources told DC that it is with this agenda that Chennithala has been trying to bring in  many leaders of ‘I’ camp  to the KPCC executive before January 10.

The highlight of the KPCC’s manifesto prepared by KPCC general secretaries Dr Sooranad Rajasekharan, Satheeshan Pacheni and Sajeev Joseph is ‘relief to the kitchen.’ 

All the families will be given 12 LPG cylinders at Rs 500 per cylinder in a year.

It will also be ensured that cylinders are delivered to the consumers within seven days of the date of booking.

Another recommendation is that the government should  regulate the prices  of petrol and diesel. Also, all the families whose monthly income is less than Rs 10, 000 and who own a two-wheeler should be given 10 litres of petrol in a month at 25 percent below market price. 

Next: Antony flays frequent disruption of Assembly

Antony flays frequent disruption of Assembly

Thiruvananthapuram: Defence Minister A.K. Antony has flayed the frequent disruption of the Assembly proceedings and said that passing important bills without meaningful discussions in the House is an injustice towards the future generations.

Cutting across party lines, both the UDF and LDF leaders, who spoke at the valedictory session of the 125th anniversary celebrations of the Assembly here on Monday, stressed the need for serious discussions in the Assembly and lamented  that the House could sit only for a few days.

Inaugurating the valedictory session, Antony said: “Both the UDF and the LDF are equally responsible for the lack of meaningful discussions in the House.

Passing bills without any serious discussions will lead to loopholes in the laws. This will turn out be an injustice to the future generations who will  suffer the implications of such laws.”

Antony also called for a revamp of the Kerala model of development with emphasis on the needs  of the upcoming generations.

“There should be balance in development. The public sector should also grow in tune with the private sector,” he said.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who presided over the function, said that to prevent guillotining of the Assembly proceedings, there should be coordination between the ruling front and the Opposition. “We were able to set many examples to other states. But with regard to discussions, we cut a sorry figure. Hence, we need to introspect,”  he said.

Opposition Leader V.S. Achuthanandan said that it was the responsibility of the ruling front to ensure the maximum number of sittings.

The government should consider  the genuine issues being raised by the Opposition which could result in healthy discussions, he said.