RSP differences out in the open

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Labour Minister Shibu Baby John has rejected his party national secretary T.J. Chandrachoodan’s criticism about corruption in the UDF government and said  the state unit of the party did not subscribe to his view. Such criticisms stemmed from a conspiracy to tarnish the government, he said and added the party would discuss the issue and announce its stand.

PCC president V.M. Sudheeran has also attacked Prof Choodan for slamming the Sonia-Rahul leadership.

Mr Shibu Baby John rejected Prof  Chandrachoodan’s demand for a cleansing drive within the UDF and  said it was not the stance of RSP state faction.  It  was not right to insult the Congress leaders, he told reporters in Kollam on Tuesday.

“The party’s opinion is that the moves against the government are part of a conspiracy.  The state secretariat will discuss the statement by the
general secretary,”  said Mr. John.

In a scathing attack, Mr. Choodan had said in Kollam on Monday that  the UDF government was making its allies also uncomfortable with  corruption.  

The government's deeds were  making them feel ashamed. Such a corrupt government had never ruled the state, he said.

While inaugurating the reception committee meeting of RSP state conference to be held on August 6 - 8 in  Kollam,  Prof. Choodan also said that if the corruptive forces could not be  brought under control, they should be ousted.

His statement had  upset not only his party colleagues, but also the top brass of the Congress. Mr  Sudheeran said at the  KPCC office here that  Prof. Choodan’s words were similar to that of communal fascist forces. He demanded that he should abide by the coalition dharma.