Congress and Janata Dal (United) leaders on Tuesday held marathon discussions to wrap up a settlement that included a promise to submit by May 9 the United Democratic Front panel’s report fixing responsibility for the defeat of M.P. Veerendrakumar from the Palakkad constituency in the last Lok Sabha elections.
The JD(U) leadership was firm about taking action against those who were responsible for the defeat of its leader, but the Congress, while agreeing to such a move, reserved its prerogative to decide on its modalities. Tuesday’s meeting was a follow-up to the meeting that Mr. Veerendrakumar had with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in Kozhikode the other day.
Mr. Chandy told presspersons that UDF convener P.P. Thankachan had agreed to submit the report by May 9. He would examine it and take a decision. The JD(U) had raised only political issues and did not indulge in any kind of bargaining. Therefore, a political decision had become imperative, he said.
The entry of the JD(U) had benefitted the UDF. The party maintained coalition etiquette and did not make any demands, Mr. Chandy said and admitted that the Congress had failed to reciprocate the JD(U)’s approach by ensuring a fair playing field for the party in the UDF stakes. As the coalition major, the Congress would take the initiative to address this issue, which would include appropriate accommodation in the upcoming local body elections.
Mr. Veerendrakumar reacted positively to the outcome, stating that he welcomed the UDF leadership approach to the political issues.
Mr. Veerendrakumar had a series of discussions with Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran also during the course of the day, culminating in a final get-together at the Chief Minister’s official residence late night, prior to arriving at an understanding.
UDF convener to submit report fixing responsibility for defeat on May 9
Veerendrakumar holds talks with Chandy, Chennithala, Sudheeran
