Forest Minister K. B. Ganesh Kumar on Thursday called on his father and Kerala Congress (B) chairman R Balakrishna Pillai, but the meeting belied hopes of a settlement of the differences between the two.
Mr. Ganesh Kumar called on Mr. Pillai to enquire after his health after he had complained of uneasiness while making an offering at Sabarimala. The meeting took place at the Kerala Congress (B) office here. Sources said that the father and son duo did not discuss politics during the meeting that lasted for just 15 minutes. However, Mr. Ganesh Kumar and Mr. Pillai gave conflicting views about the current relations that existed between them. The Forest Minister asserted that all issues with his father would be settled. His party had not given any new directives, including reshuffling some of his personal staff members, he said.
Mr. Pillai had a different take on the issue when he categorically stated that the current situation had deteriorated further, with no visible change in the Minister’s behaviour. This had happened as a result of the encouragement given by certain sections. The Minister can harbour optimism as long as he has Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s support. He said he was not prepared for yet another round of conciliatory talks in the light of the fact that six earlier ones, under the initiative of Mr. Oommen Chandy had failed to produce results. “There is no need for any further talks on this issue. All that is now required is a decision at the next meeting of the UDF,” he said.
