Both the State and central leadership of the NCP on Tuesday eschewed responsibility of taking a call on the continuance of Transport Minister Thomas Chandy in the State cabinet.
Citing procedure, State president T.P. Peethambaran said the ball was in the party parliamentary board’s court. He also reiterated support to Mr. Chandy. NCP national general secretary Tariq Anwar, however, told The Hindu that “a decision on the issue was left to the State unit of the party”.
“We want them to arrive at a consensus in the next two to three days. If they are not able to do so, we will intervene. But we sincerely hope a consensus emerges,” he said.
Praful Patel, national general secretary, in a media statement from Delhi said the party would arrive at a decision on Mr. Chandy after studying the order of the High Court. The leaders of the party maintained high probity in public life. Consultations would be held with the Chief Minister and the leaders of the Left Democratic Front in the meantime, he said.
