Truce in Congress, UDF rallies from today
Chandy, Sudheeran admit that Congress’ internal tussle could have been avoided
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After realising that the war of words within the Congress was going out of control, the leaders have begun chanting the unity mantra again.
Prior to the emergency UDF meeting here on Monday, the Congress leadership met at the KPCC office and decided to work together to strengthen the party and the government.
“There are no problems in the Congress which cannot be solved. Both the UDF and Congress will move forward together,” said PCC chief V.M. Sudheeran after holding talks with Chief Minsister Oommen Chandy and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala. Mr Chandy also reiterated that there were no problems in the party.
The UDF meeting which was held on the request of the Muslim League decided to go ahead with the three zonal rallies of the UDF on Tuesday as per the earlier schedule.
Mr Chandy and Mr Sudheeran said the internal issues in the Congress could have been avoided. JD (U) leader Varghese George raised Congress mouthpiece Veekshanam’s editorial criticising party chief M. P. Veerendra Kumar.
Muslim League leader P. K. Kunhalikutty said the slanging match among the Congress leaders should be stopped. KC (J) chairman Johnny Nelloore opined that following the Veekshanam editorial, things had worsened in the UDF.
Mr Chandy and Mr Sudheeran were apologetic towards the JD (U) for the controversial editorial. Mr Chandy told Mr. George that their grievances would be solved.
Later, UDF convener P. P. Thankachan told reporters that Mr Chandy would kick off the UDF zonal rally at Thiruvananthapuram Gandhi Park grounds at 10 a.m. as planned.
“The UDF leaders raised the issue of non-payment of welfare pensions, pending KSRTC pension, farmers incentives towards paddy procurement etc as these would be raised by the public at the UDF rallies. Chandy has promised to disperse the pending pension at the earliest,” said a UDF leader.