Thiruvananthapuram: Congress faced fire from all directions within UDF for the massive electoral defeat it suffered in the civic body elections. Muslim League and RSP too joined the demand for Mullappally Ramachandran’s resignation as KPCC president.
League leaders spoke their mind on Mullappally’s ouster to Congress leaders after UDF meeting held Saturday evening. League is mulling to repeat the demand by first writing to Congress High Command for intervention failing which, they plan to meet with Sonia Gandhi directly. There is deep discontent among allies over existing state of affairs and the front has been duly informed, said RSP leader Shibu Baby John openly to reporters.
At the meeting allies stood their ground : It was discontent with Congress leadership that led to a full-blown defeat. Congress should first of all take responsibility for the loss. It would not be possible for the front to go ahead under existing conditions. Steps should be taken to regain trust of the minorities, they said.
Refusal to take strong stand against BJP proved to be detrimental. UDF gains shrunk to Malabar region alone. Contradictory responses from Congress leaders over ties with Jamaat-e-Islami triggered damning debates over the alliance, said PK Kunjalikutty. The practice of Congress handing seats to allies and then having it contested by rebels, too came under heavy fire.
At the meeting, PJ Joseph’s was the only faction that did not go on rampage against Congress. Jose K Mani’s departure from UDF has caused no harm, Monce Joseph maintained.
League dominance was all-too evident at the press conference held post the UDF meeting. After opening address by Ramesh Chennithala, it was Kunjalikutty who responded to media with answers. UDF Convener MM Hassan did not utter a word against either Mullappally or Oomen Chandy. Chennithala’s response to the scathing criticism was that of acknowledging lapses and assuring there would be corrective steps taken.
