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P K Kunhalikutty backs out, no talks

Mr Kunhalikutty said the UDF was not interested in any mediation with the KC (M) which has parted ways with the front.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Muslim League leader P. K. Kunhalikutty has backed out of his proposed mediation with Kerala Congress (M) chairman K.M. Mani in the face of stiff opposition by Congress leaders against appeasing Mr Mani a day ahead of the scheduled UDF meeting. Mr Kunhalikutty said the UDF was not interested in any mediation with the KC (M) which has parted ways with the front. The KC (M) had left the UDF saying it will not return to the front ruling out any intermediary talks.

There were reports earlier that Mr Kunhalikutty had been entrusted to hold talks with Mr Mani. Former chief minister Oommen Chandy’s talks with Mr Mani had not yielded the desired results. KC (M) leader Joseph M. Puthuserry told DC that he was not aware whether the KPCC leadership had put pressure on Mr Kunhalikutty not to hold talks.

“A section of Congress leaders had challenged the self- respect of the party by raising issues one after another. So the KC (M) and its leaders were targeted and humiliated forcing us to leave the UDF,” said Mr. Puthuserry. Congress sources told DC that the Muslim League was keen to bring back Mr Mani to the UDF fold. Mr Kunhalikutty may raise the issue in the UDF meeting on Wednesday. Also, the UDF MLAs will hold a dharna in front of the secretariat from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday against the policies of the LDF government.

KC (M) MLAs and leaders will be conspicuous by their absence at the dharna. Mr Mani was expected to arrive here late on Tuesday night for his party programmes. KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran hinted that the UDF had not closed the doors before Mr Mani. He said the UDF will consider accepting him if he openly admits his mistakes. “Mani will soon realise that his decision to leave the UDF was wrong. They will have to correct their mistakes. The decisions are taken in the UDF jointly,” he told reporters here.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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