Nationalist Congress Party insists on Thomas Chandy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The NCP state leadership on Tuesday unanimously picked Thomas Chandy as the party’s nominee in Pinarayi Vijayan government. The decision has been conveyed to NCP national leadership for approval and formal announcement. Mr Chandy will replace A.K. Saseendran, who resigned after an audio clip of a sexually explicit conversation, allegedly between him and a woman, was aired by a local TV channel on Sunday. Contrary to reports that there were serious differences within the party about selecting Mr Chandy as Mr Saseendran’s replacement, the decision was taken unanimously.

At the end of the two-hour meeting held at MLA hostel here, NCP state president Uzhavoor Vijayan told reporters that the choice was unanimous. Mr Saseendran proposed Chandy's name which was accepted by all other leaders present in the meeting. "Being a national party we have to first convey our decision to the central committee which will formally make the announcement. Once that is done the official communication regarding NCP nominee for the LDF government would be conveyed to the front leadership and the chief minister," he said. Meanwhile, with Mr Chandy being proposed for Cabinet berth, the post of legislature party leader will go to Saseendran.

The Kuttanad MLA said he was prepared to take whatever responsibility the party bestowed upon him. "Once I become a minister, I will carry out my responsibilities to the best of my abilities," he said. When asked whether he would pave the way for Mr Saseendran's return if his name is cleared after a probe, he said; "Yes sure." Uzhavoor Vijayan said Saseendran had upheld the highest value in public life by resigning within a couple of hours after the news channel aired the controversial audio clip. He hoped Saseendran will continue to work for the party with more vigour and lead the organisation from the front.