Thiruvananthapuram: The national leadership of Janata Dal (Secular) on Friday replaced water resources minister Mathew T. Thomas with Chittur MLA K. Krishnankutty.
Mr Thomas said he will submit resignation letter to chief minister according to latter's convenience and availability in capital. “I don’t intend to send resignation letter through a messenger,'' he said.
The chief minister will be in Kozhikode on Saturday and in Kannur on Sunday. He is expected to return on Monday.
The decision came soon after JD(S) state leaders including Mr Krishnankutty and Mr C. K. Nanu, MLA, held a meeting with party's national secretary general Kunwar Danish Ali in Bengaluru on Friday. The meeting was chaired by former Prime Minister and national president of the party H. D. Deve Gowda. Despite instructions from the leadership to attend the meeting, Mr Thomas stayed away.
Mr Thomas who arrived in Thiurvananthapuram on Friday evening said Mr Ali called him over phone and conveyed the decision.
“As a loyal party worker and someone who believes in organisational principles, I am bound to abide by the decision. The party has asked me to step down.
