The United Democratic Front (UDF) leadership on Wednesday decided to give a long rope to Kerala Congress (B) leader R. Balakrishna Pillai by just expressing its displeasure at his remarks against the leader of another coalition partner in a private telephone conversation with Kerala Bar Hotels Association acting president Biju Ramesh contrary to the general expectation that Mr. Pillai will be asked to quit.
Lenient view
In the case of Government Chief Whip P.C. George also, the UDF took a lenient view, even while expressing its displeasure at his remarks relating to his party leader and Finance Minister K.M. Mani.
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Mr. Pillai and Mr. George had been facing the heat ever since their adverse remarks related to the bar bribery case made in separate contexts. UDF convener P.P. Thankachan said the ruling coalition found Mr. Pillai’s remarks unacceptable since it was made against the leader of another partner violating all political decency. He should not have been in touch with Mr. Ramesh in the first place. He said the UDF hoped that Mr. Pillai would refrain from making such wild allegations in view of the general sentiments expressed by leaders of various parties at the UDF meeting.
Explanation
Mr. George, he said, had explained the circumstances that prompted him to make his remarks against Mr. Mani, but he was advised not to make public statements that were detrimental to the UDF.
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The UDF leadership toned down the severity of its proposed action at the end of official and non-official talks at various levels involving senior leaders such as P.K. Kunhalikutty and others.
The UDF meeting condemned the CPI(M) and the BJP for their brand of agitations demanding the resignation of Mr. Mani.
These agitations were politically motivated and were being staged under the impression that the UDF was disunited.
The meeting questioned the validity of the allegations made by Mr. Ramesh.