Ramesh Chennithala looks beyond group feud

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition Leader-elect Ramesh Chennithala has said the factional feud in his Congress party is going to be a thing of past, and they would work unitedly for the party's revival. Addressing a meet-the-press programme at Thiruvananthapuram Press Club on Monday, Mr Chennithala said Oommen Chandy's decision to opt out was “an unusual choice.”

He also expressed surprise at the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan being in a quandary on a host of issues like Athirapally, Mullaperiyar and Devaswom Board on its honeymoon. The Congress leader claimed that there were no infighting in the party even during the Assembly elections and that the United Democratic Front (UDF) will function as a constructive Opposition in the Assembly.

Mr Chennithala asserted that Mr Chandy’s reluctance to don the role of the Leader of the Opposition itself was a manifestation of the unity in the party. “My aim is to unite everyone and strengthen the Congress. The party workers would get newfound energy. It would be the biggest challenge for me as the opposition leader,” he said.

Regarding the controversy over former PCC president K. Muraleedharan being miffed at anointing him as the leader two days ahead of the Congress Legislative Party meeting, he said it was true that talks were held in advance. But the decision was taken only by the Congress high command.

Meanwhile, Mr Chennithala said it was ideal to hold a public debate over the proposed hydroelectric project on the ecologically sensitive Athirappilly waterfalls. “Already, we see the differences, especially within the LDF. Since the differences prevail in both the fronts, the government should consult party leaders and environmentalists. A unilateral decision will not benefit the State,” he said.

On the Mullaperiyar dam, he said Mr Vijayan's stand that the dam was safe would only harm the state's interests. He also said that the UDF did not agree with the new government's move to wind up the Devaswom Recruitment Board mooted by the late Justice K. S. Paripoornan and set up by the previous UDF government.