Government Chief Whip P.C. George, who recently fell out with Kerala Congress (M) leader and Finance Minister K.M. Mani, has launched a strategy that would help him stay put in the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF).
As part of the strategy, his supporters, led by T.S. John, relaunched the Kerala Congress (Secular), which would, it is presumed, eventually enable Mr. George find a berth in the ruling coalition as a full-fledged partner. Mr. George had formed the KC(S) after he fell out with P.J. Joseph, who headed the Kerala Congress (J), which was a partner in the Left Democratic Front. He led the KC(S) into the KC(M) in 2009, a move that provided a political foothold for him.
Mr. George was comfortably placed in the KC(M) till the merger of the KC(J). For the last four years, he has given sleepless nights to Mr. Mani and several other UDF leaders. With Mr. Mani now determined to ensure that Mr. George is divested of his position as Chief Whip and other prominent positions in the party, it has become untenable for Mr. George to continue in the party. But he cannot quit the party and revive the KC(S) without attracting the provisions of the Anti-defection laws.
George absent
Mr. George significantly enough did not participate in the relaunch meeting held here with Mr. John in the chair. The meeting made certain remarks on the manner in which Mr. Mani went about sidelining Mr. George. It also questioned the validity of the so-called legislature party meet that decided to withdraw his nomination as Chief Whip and his representation in the UDF.
One of Mr. George’s main demands before the UDF leaders is to permit him to revive his erstwhile party. Mr. Mani is determined not to give him any leeway, especially after he questioned Mr. Mani’s leadership, besides trying to open up the issue of succession in the KC(M).
