UDF hopes to win back minorities

KOTTAYAM: The Congress gifted the Rajya Sabha seat to the Kerala Congress (M) to woo the minorities back to the UDF fold as they had drifted away to the LDF camp during the Chengannur by-election, said sources. The UDF  hopes to reap the benefits in the next elections in  the districts of Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthittta   where the KC(M) has a strong presence.

However, Congress leaders here feel that the process was mismanaged by former chief minister Oommen Chandy as no discussions  were held with  them on giving away the seat to the KC(M) or accommodating it in the front. Former Kottayam DCC president Tomy Kallany termed the action as  a  “wound which will never heal.”

“It is a miscalculated political move.  The party workers should have been taken into confidence before taking such a decision,” he said.  However, Kottayam DCC president Joshy Philip said that the decision was taken by the Congress high command and that it  will benefit the Congress party in the long term. Expressing his apparent helplessness,  he said,  “I  cannot speak against the decision of the high  command.” Referring to the attempts being made by the  Congress leadership to pacify the workers, some leaders, including Mr  K.C. Joseph MLA,  said that  it was  a closed chapter.