CM Oommen Chandy to mollify ‘hurt partner'

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has started damage control measures in the context of JD (U) president M. P. Veerendra Kumar's complaint of UDF neglect.

Chandy is confident none of the allies will leave the front and has vowed to redress the grievances of the JD (U) and RSP. Labour minister Shibu Baby John said that the RSP has not even thought of leaving the front and took a dig at CPI leader C. Divakaran’s claim to the contrary.

Chandy opined that the grievances raised by JD (U) leader was genuine and allies who had the same sentiments would be heard.

“The same front will be in the fray in the upcoming Assembly elections. None of the allies will ditch the UDF”, said Chandy.

Though he tried to allay fears, Chandy held talks with PCC chief V. M. Sudheeran and Home minister Ramesh Chennithala at the KPCC office today.

After the meeting, Sudheeran told reporters that Veerendra Kumar was a senior UDF leader and whatever differences he had with the UDF would be settled.

“Depending on the convenience of Mr. Veerendra Kumar, the time and the venue for the reconciliatory talks will be decided.

Once the final report by the KPCC sub-committee on his defeat at Palakkad Lok Sabha constituency is received, it will be dealt with seriously”, said Sudheeran.

However, KPCC leaders are peeved with Veerendra Kumar’s decision to stay away from the UDF’s regional rally at Kozhikode.

A prominent KPCC spokesperson told DC that when the Panchayat and assembly elections were on the anvil, Veerendra Kumar was trying to pressurize the UDF Government under the backing of the newly formed Janata Parivar.