The beleaguered Kerala Congress (M) [KC(M)] vice chairman and Government Chief Whip P.C. George has made an open call to the leadership of the United Democratic Front (UDF) to provide him an opportunity for his continuance in the coalition by reviving the Kerala Congress (Secular).
Addressing a media interface here on Saturday, Mr. George said he expected the UDF leadership to find a respectable way out of the current problem. He said the UDF leadership had time till April 6. ‘‘I will decide my future course of action only after listening to what the UDF leadership has to say,’’ he said.
Reacting to a question, Mr. George said KC(M) chairman K.M. Mani had no locus standi in deciding on the revival of Kerala Congress (Secular) and its continuance in the UDF.
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He said it was wrong to say that the decision had already been made to remove him from the post of Whip. ‘‘Discussions on the matter are going on,’’ he said.
Mr. George said Mr. Mani had no moral right to seek his removal from the post of Whip as the post was given to him as part of an agreement during the merger of the KC(Secular) with the KC(M).
To a question, he said that during a discussion with Mr. Mani in the early days of the bar bribery allegation, the party chairman had agreed to step down along with Mr. George.
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‘‘I do not know why he chose to change his word later,’’ Mr. George said.
Mr. George said all his statements so far as part of the KC(M) party had the blessings of Mr. Mani. Asked whether his controversial stand on the Idukki Parliament seat which had cost the party a second seat in the last general election had the blessings of Mr. Mani, Mr. George countered: ‘‘Will I make such a statement without any reason?,’’ Mr. George said. According to him, the merger of the KC(Secular) in the KC(M) was a result of the intervention from the then Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy, then KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala, and Muslim League leader P.K. Kunhalikutty. Moreover, the post of the Chief Whip was given to him by the UDF.
Mr. George who seemed a bit mellowed in his remarks about UDF leaders, including Mr. Mani, said he was desisting from personal attacks as he had given a word to the UDF leadership. Moreover, he did not want to disgrace the greatness of the Passion Week.
Makes an open call to the UDF leadership to allow him to continue in the coalition by reviving the Kerala Congress (Secular).