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NCP may choose Kovoor Kunjumon as Cabinet minister

A section of NCP leaders has reportedly held informal discussions with Mr Kunjumon.

Thiruvananthapuram: A section of NCP is exploring the possibility of proposing RSP(L) MLA Kovoor Kunjumon for Cabinet berth in party's quota.

The move comes in the wake of strong opposition to R. Balakrishna Pillai's entry into NCP. A section of NCP leaders has reportedly held informal discussions with Mr Kunjumon.

Sources said NCP has put forward a condition before Mr Kunjumon that if inducted in the ministry on party quota, he will have to resign the moment A. K. Saseendran is cleared of the case involving sleaze talk.

They said the RSP (L) leader has not given any commitment on the condition placed by NCP. With the CPM mounting pressure on the NCP to fill up the vacant slot at the earliest, the party leadership is trying to explore all possibilities. Granting berth to RSP (L) MLA is one of the options being considered.

Sources said those close to Thomas Chandy are not averse to bringing in Mr Kunjumon. However, Mr Saseendran is not quite keen on an outsider filling the party's vacant slot in the LDF ministry.

While the informal discussions are on in various foras, officially both NCP and RSP (L) refused to say anything on record. Both the parties maintained that no such developments had taken place.

"No discussions have taken place with RSP (L) MLA. We cannot say anything about the future possibilities at the moment," said NCP state president T. P. Peethambaran.

On the question of Balakrishna Pillai, he said the discussions had not moved forward. The NCP leader had faced sharp criticism within the party on Pillai issue.

Mr Kunjumon too denied any discussions about the Cabinet berth. "Our party has not held any discussions on the issue yet. We have made our position clear," he said.

Sources close to the two sides, however, say the discussions are at an early stage and the two parties are tight-lipped. Moreover, they fear that the move could also trigger inner party problems.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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