The Hindu : Front Page : Rajya Sabha seat: Mani not to give in

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Monday, Jan 19, 2009
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Rajya Sabha seat: Mani not to give in

Staff Reporter

KOTTAYAM: The Kerala Congress (M) will not go back on its demand for the vacancy arising in Rajya Sabha from the State, party leader K.M. Mani has said. Briefing presspersons after a steering committee meeting of the party here on Sunday, Mr. Mani said the demand would be formally taken up on a bilateral manner in the United Democratic Front (UDF).

The Kerala Congress (M) had representation in the Rajya Sabha since 1997, until the expiry of the tenure of party nominee Joy Nadukkara. During the past 11 years, the party had been forced to forgo its legitimate right on Rajya Sabha representation five times to accommodate representatives from the Congress. Senior leaders including K. Karunakaran, A.K. Antony, Vayalar Ravi, Thennala Balakrishna Pillai and P.J. Kurian were elected denying a chance to his party, he said.

In 2003, both vacancies were given to the Congress. In 2005, when the Kerala Congress (M) was denied its legitimate demand, the then UDF chairman and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had promised in front of the media that the next arising vacancy would be given to the party. Against this backdrop, the party would move ahead with its demand. Though the issue had not been included on the agenda of the UDF liaison committee meeting scheduled on Monday, the decision of the steering committee would be conveyed to Mr. Chandy, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala and UDF convener P.P. Thankachan.

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