Speaker G. Karthikeyan on Friday formally expressed his desire to remit office and return to ‘active politics,’ but said he would abide by his party leadership’s decision on this.
Mr. Karthikeyan’s public announcement at a press conference here has virtually put Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in a fix because it opens up the question of a Cabinet reshuffle, something which the latter has been reticent about. Mr. Karthikeyan said he had requested the party leadership for permission to quit, but sources close to him said he was unlikely to wait too long for the clearance from the high command. The public declaration of his intention had virtually rendered his resignation a fait accompli, they said.
He had informed Congress Working Committee member A.K. Antony, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president V.M. Sudheeran, and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala about his intention.
In active politics
He had accepted the Speakership because the party leadership had entrusted him with the responsibility. At the end of three years in the chair, he felt it was time to return to active politics, since his profile as a Speaker restricted his functioning.
“Since entering politics as a student at the age of 14, I have been a political animal. I owe it to my party leadership for scaling heights and for the various positions I have held. I am not quitting for any other positions. I would rather leave it to the party leadership to take a decision,” Mr. Karthikeyan said.
He was making his stand public since he did not want to shroud the Speaker’s post in controversy.
