Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s efforts on Monday to settle the row between Kerala Congress (M) leader and Finance Minister K.M. Mani and P.C. George over the latter’s continuance as government chief whip drew a blank, with both sticking to their respective positions.
Mr. George, who is also KC(M) vice-chairman, went one step ahead by making it clear that he would consider resigning only if he were to be expelled from the party.
“I ask for only a small thing. Please expel me from the party along with my supporters,” he told mediapersons as he emerged from his discussions with Mr. Chandy.
“I and my supporters are not intimidated by the threats of disqualification under the anti-defection laws. Don’t think you can trap us.”
Mr. Mani was firm that his party had the prerogative to withdraw its nominee as government chief whip, besides deciding on its representative on the United Democratic Front liaison committee. He said the decision to remove Mr. George was taken by his eight-member legislature party. Mr. Chandy later said that discussions had ended, but he would announce the outcome only on Tuesday.
The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee meeting earlier in the day authorised Mr. Chandy to take “the appropriate decision at the appropriate time”.
Mr. George’s strategy is to work up to a situation that enables him to continue in the United Democratic Front as a separate party. Under the existing anti-defection laws, this is possible only if he is expelled from the KC(M).
Mr. Mani’s moves are aimed at pinning down Mr. George with the threat of wielding the anti-defection provisions.
