Internecine dissensions and group squabbles are a closed chapter in the State Congress unit and time has come for introspection and collective efforts to regain the glory of the party, Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala has said.
Addressing a Meet-the-Press programme organised by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club here on Monday, Mr.Chennithala said that party is facing tall challenges and is now focussed on regaining its lost glory. There is no room for group disputes, he said.
Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has stepped down and showed the way by unanimously electing him as Opposition Leader after heading the party in the Assembly for 13 years. This message of unity should be taken to the Congress workers. The spirit of the model set by Mr.Chandy needs to be imbibed in its true spirit and now, Mr.Chennithala said, he was getting ready to head the United Democratic Front as a creative Opposition in the Assembly. No decision has so far been made on the position of Mr.Chandy in the front, he said.
Regarding the decision to give the Deputy Leadership of the UDF parliamentary party to Indian Union Muslim League leader P.K.Kunhalikutty, Mr.Chennithala said that they had already taken decision to have a separate parliamentary party for the UDF to ensure its better functioning in the Assembly. The Congress has become an opposition party at the Centre and State simultaneously after a long time. Time has come for an introspection and work with unity giving due priority for youth.
Asked about the drubbing in the elections, Mr.Chennithala said that the onus for the defeat could not be placed on one person and all of them were responsible for the defeat. Asked whether it warranted a leadership change, Mr.Chennithala said that it was for the high command to take decision on such things.
Usually the Opposition gives a leeway of six months for a new government which assumes office, but it was surprising differences of opinion have already surfaced on a variety of issues within the Left Democratic Front soon after the government took over. The Congress and UDF wanted the government to go by the unanimous resolution passed by the Assembly on the Mullaperiyar issue. The change of stance of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the issue wil go against the interest of the State. Similarly, the Athirappally power project should be implemented only after evolving a consensus with political parties, environmentalists and others concerned, he said
