Group wars turn hot in UDF as leaders take potshots at each other
Picture used for representational purpose. (Photo: DC/File)
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Tempers are rising in the Congress over the bar issue with group leaders giving vent to their bottled-up feelings, though KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran has been trying to eliminate groupism. While Mr M.M. Hassan, KPCC vice-president and spokesperson, supported Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on the issue, another spokesperson Rajmohan Unnithan and KPCC general secretary K. P. Anil Kumar rooted for Mr Sudheeran.
Mr Hassan, who attended the Janasree Mission programme at Kesari Hall, told reporters that the party was yet to come out with a decision over the closure of 418 bars. The KPCC-government coordination committee had not found a solution. But he hoped the UDF meeting on Thursday will reach a consensus.
“The issue is before the High Court and in the coordination committee meetings, Mr Chandy’s views were upheld. Sudheeran has taken a stand against liquor and so obviously a consensus has to be reached,” he said.
Later at a press meeting, Mr Rajmohan Unnithan expressed surprise over Mr Hassan’s statement that the party had not taken any decision.
“The recent general body meeting of the party which was held after a four-year break discussed the bar issue. The major concern among the party leaders was that the closed 418 bars should not be opened. When the majority of them wanted to pass a resolution on this, it was Sudheeran who said he would convey the general sentiments of the general body to the concerned,” said Mr Unnithan.
Mr Anil Kumar, a staunch supporter of Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, lashed out at Mr Hassan saying that “if practicality has to be maintained on the closure of bars, the people’s mandate will be lost.” He added that the UPA government had come out with various schemes, but they were against the people’s wish.
( Source : dc correspondent )
Next Story