Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala has said that expanding the State cabinet by swearing in three new ministers would not make any difference in the lives of the people who have been reeling under the misrule of the Left Democratic Front government.
Delivering the inaugural address at a one-day workshop organised by the Thripunithura Congress block committee, Mr. Chennithala said with the number of ministers touching 20, it would at best be a strain on the State exchequer. He said the Marxist party which had in the past criticised the formation of a jumbo cabinet, now had no qualms in increasing the number of ministers in its government.
Mr. Chennithala criticised that the LDF government found the induction of new ministers more important than focusing on the problems of the people.
KPCC chief saw an irony in the LDF ministers taking oath from Governor R.S. Gavai, against whom the Marxist party had given a boycott call not so long ago. Regarding the governance plan formulated by the CPI (M) State secretariat, Mr. Chennithala wondered what a government, which had failed miserably in the first three-and-a-half years, could now do in the remaining period of its term.
He said the Marxist party’s misinformation campaign against the ASEAN trade pact by hiding its benefits for Indian farmers would not wash with the people of the State. The Left’s opposition would prove futile just as its protest against the Indo-US nuclear deal, Mr. Chennithala said. The agreement facilitates enhanced access of foreign market for Indian products.
He alleged that for the Left progress of the country was not of paramount importance but was more committed towards the development of China.
Mr. Chennithala declared, much to the delight of grass root level party workers, that candidates for the forthcoming local body elections would be selected at the ward level based on their performance and acceptance, instead of being thrust upon from the higher levels.
