Kerala Cong (M) crisis to blow over; Chandy intervenes
28 March 2015 5:42 AM IST
The crisis in key UDF partner Kerala Congress (M), triggered by the face-off between its supremo KM Mani and party Vice-Chairman PC George, is likely to blow over with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Friday taking initiative to bring about a truce, apparently keen on avoiding any threat to the stability of his ministry.
A day after MLAs loyal to Mani, the Finance Minister, pressed for his removal as the Government Chief Whip; George met Chandy and offered to resign from the post, but the latter asked him to wait, saying he would hold discussions with other leaders of the ruling United Democratic Front.
George said he offered to resign but Chandy told him to wait till a decision in this regard was taken in consultation with other UDF leaders. Meanwhile, IUML leader and state Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty met Mani and held discussions as part of arriving at a consensus on the issue.
KC-M, the third largest UDF partner, has nine MLAs and the ruling front does not want to precipitate the crisis by annoying George, particularly when civic polls are due later this year and assembly polls next year. Also, the front could not afford to lose the support of even a single MLA.
UDF has a wafer thin majority of 73 in the 140-member assembly with one seat vacant while the CPI-M led LDF has 65 members. Kerala Congress (B) which recently quit UDF has one member.
George, who was with CPI-M led LDF and headed Kerala Congress (Secular) faction, became part of
UDF after his party merged with KC-M in early 2010.
A day after MLAs loyal to Mani, the Finance Minister, pressed for his removal as the Government Chief Whip; George met Chandy and offered to resign from the post, but the latter asked him to wait, saying he would hold discussions with other leaders of the ruling United Democratic Front.
George said he offered to resign but Chandy told him to wait till a decision in this regard was taken in consultation with other UDF leaders. Meanwhile, IUML leader and state Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty met Mani and held discussions as part of arriving at a consensus on the issue.
KC-M, the third largest UDF partner, has nine MLAs and the ruling front does not want to precipitate the crisis by annoying George, particularly when civic polls are due later this year and assembly polls next year. Also, the front could not afford to lose the support of even a single MLA.
UDF has a wafer thin majority of 73 in the 140-member assembly with one seat vacant while the CPI-M led LDF has 65 members. Kerala Congress (B) which recently quit UDF has one member.
George, who was with CPI-M led LDF and headed Kerala Congress (Secular) faction, became part of
UDF after his party merged with KC-M in early 2010.
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