Public Works Minister and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader V.K. Ebrahim Kunju’s remarks about the political clout of his party appears to have created another round of avoidable headache for the United Democratic Front (UDF) leadership, especially for Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
The remarks made at a party function at Pattambi in Palakkad district has already evoked sharp reactions from opposition parties in the State and could come as a distraction for Mr. Chandy who has been trying to push a development agenda to overcome the set back the UDF received on the political front following the induction of a fifth IUML minister in his cabinet.
Chance for Opposition
It is common knowledge that the IUML wields enormous clout in the UDF, most often getting its way on several political and administrative issues. The remarks by a IUML Minister, even though made in a party forum, has now given a handle for the Opposition, particularly the CPI(M), which has been trying to find its feet in the aftermath of the T.P. Chandrasekharan murder case.
Mr. Kunju has now clarified that he had only made remarks that any political leader would do in a party forum and his statements had been misinterpreted. But his party would have to reply especially since it has now become a topic of heated debates in the television channels.
Party spokesman E.T. Mohammed Basheer also strongly reacted to the television channel reports alleging that the Minister had been quoted out of context.
The reactions that have come in range from CPI(M) State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State president V. Muraleedharan, Nair Service Society (NSS) general secretary Sukumaran Nair to name a few.
Mr. Nair even went to the extent of stating that the UDF government should resign and seek a fresh mandate.
The Congress leadership, however, did not give much importance to the remarks, with Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Ramesh Chennithala stating that as the second largest party, the IUML was a valued partner.
Strain exposed
As the debate continued in the channels throughout the day, the Minister’s remarks, however, only exposed the strain and sensitiveness of Kerala’s social and political life, it is pointed out.
