Janathipathya Samrakshana Samithy (JSS) State president Rajan Babu told a press conference here on Saturday that there was no need for K.R. Gouri to stay away from contesting the polls on account of her age as her commitment towards the well-being of the people and rich experience in handling various ministries were invaluable.
Responding to SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan's insinuation that Ms. Gouri was too aged to contest the elections, Mr. Babu said political parties decided their candidates based on internal discussions. “We have not entrusted any outside body with the task of deciding our candidates,” he said. Mr. Babu said Mr. Natesan's comment went against his own personal opinion on Ms. Gouri aired in one of his articles in the SNDP mouthpiece 'Yoganadam'.
No outside force should nurse the hope of damaging the determination and unity of the JSS by criticising its chief, he said adding that Ms. Gouri's zest for public service exceeded even that of many young leaders.
However, Mr. Babu was non-committal when asked whether the party's response to Mr. Natesan was a clear indication that Ms. Gouri would contest the polls. "That's for the party to decide. She, however, need not keep away on account of her age," he said.
Mr. Babu said the JSS chief had not made any statement on the lack of unity in the United Democratic Front. She had said that rebels should not be tolerated at any cost. And that‘s for the good of the Congress and all alliance partners, he said.
He said the JSS was not ready to compromise the demand for five seats in the elections. Asked whether the party would quit the UDF if the demand was rejected, Mr. Babu said deserting the front upon not receiving seats was not “political decency.”
He said the second round of talks between the Congress and the JSS on seat-sharing would be held on March 8 and 9. The final list of JSS candidates would be ready by March 11, Mr. Babu said.
