Demonstrations were taken out by Congress workers in parts of the district in protest against the remarks of government Chief Whip P.C. George about Anto Antony, UDF candidate for the Pathanamthitta constituency.
A group of Youth Congress workers had to be forcibly removed from outside the venue of a function attended by Mr. George in Kottayam.
Youth Congress workers also took out a march at Mundakayam raising slogans. A protest meet was also organised by the Mundakayam block committee of the Congress.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a function to launch the T.V. Abraham Foundation here, Mr. George said he had been requested to refrain from a confrontation by KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran.
“We have spoken twice on the telephone and he has promised to resolve all differences existing within the UDF. He has also sought my assistance in strengthening the coalition,” he said.
On the sidelines of the same function, Kerala Congress (M) chairman and Finance Minister K.M. Mani declined to comment on the issue.
He, however, said that Mr. Antony’s victory at Pathanamthitta was certain.