New Delhi   

Congress to say ‘no’ to bandhs, hartals

New Delhi: With bandhs and hartals affecting life, the Kerala unit of the Congress, on Monday, said it was likely to take a decision soon against such modes of protest.

Ramesh Chennithala, president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, said this while participating in a debate on politics at the World Economic Forum India Summit here, along with other party leaders from the State.

“As a major political party in the Opposition (in Kerala), we are also considering seriously not to have hartals. Our party committee has discussed it in detail; a final decision has not been taken,” he said.

The Congress, as a political party, had the right to hold demonstrations and protests. But it should take into account the fact that the people of the State had suffered from age-old modes of agitation, he said.

“There are other ways by which we can protest. In a few days, we are coming out with a decision on not calling for bandhs or hartals. Personally, I am also not in favour of hartals,” he said.

Mr. Chennithala’s views received support from his party colleague, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor, who represents the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency.

“I, personally, am against hartals. I will be very very happy if political parties can express their views without disrupting the normal life of the people,” Dr. Tharoor said, responding to participants’ queries during the debate.

He would never support bandhs and hartals as they were “morally wrong.”

Earlier, Mr. Chennithala, Dr. Tharoor, Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy and Union Minister of State for Agriculture K.V. Thomas favoured cooperation between the ruling and the Opposition parties in taking forward development projects in the State, instead of the latter opposing the government for the sake of opposition.

Mr. Chandy said it was important for the ruling party to take the Opposition into confidence, and for the Opposition to work in a constructive manner.

Prof. Thomas said the high rate of literacy in Kerala had ensured that Naxalism did not rear its head there. Education and employment could prevent social upheavals. “This would also ensure that people are in the mainstream of society,” he added.

Dr. Tharoor said politics was about “delivering results” to the people. Political parties, he said, should involve in a “constructive engagement” with one another and not in a “disruptive engagement.” — PTI

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Celebrating Roerich’s Banner of Peace
A colourful slice of America
Jilted lover gets life term for murder
State asked to consider plea for creation of separate panchayat
Congress to say ‘no’ to bandhs, hartals
KCR meets President, Advani
Parties warn of disintegration of country
Paramilitary forces for Jharkhand polls
Inside delhi
Parole guidelines sent to L-G for approval
BJP announces ‘Delhi bandh’ on Friday over price rise
Kharge inaugurates ESIC dispensary
Rahul Mahajan case adjourned
New warrant against Abu Salem
Inside Delhi
Chandy and Chennithala reiterate stance on Murali
300 seek it, a few get it
MCD nod for parking lot along BRT corridor
Court raps police for not nabbing rape accused
RVS, first batch IAS officer, dead

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu