Chengannur bypoll: Ally attacks top brass

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: UDF ally Kerala Congress (Jacob) chairman Johnny Nellore has made an indirect attack on the Congress top brass for the Chengannur poll debacle. On his Facebook wall, he alleged that it's not only the KPCC leadership which is responsible for the defeat, but they did not take the UDF allies into confidence.  His son, Sony Nellore, too came up with a controversial Facebook post demanding Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala to step down.

Sons of Congress and UDF leaders resorting to attacking the Congress leadership have often been happening which has become a headache to the front.  A few weeks ago, Congress spokesperson Rajmohan Unnithan’s son had unleashed a scathing attack on Congress president Rahul Gandhi. The senior Nelloor supported as well as indirectly criticised the Congress for the defeat in the Chengannur. “The UDF will have to be strengthened from the lower level. None can underestimate the efforts of Mr Chennithala, Oommen Chandy, V. M. Sudheeran, M. M. Hassan, K. Muraleedharan and other leaders.

They should put their heads together and come up with solid ideas to strengthen the Congress and the UDF, and also implement them,” he said. "When you try to strengthen the UDF, all allies must be made aware of what’s being done, and their support must also be sought."  He made a veiled attack against Mr Chandy and Muslim League national general secretary P. K. Kunhalikutty who took the initiative to seek the support of K. M. Mani.