M M Hassan lauds CPI act, Ramesh Chennithala differs
Mr Hassan said the development has exposed the loss of collective responsibility of the cabinet.
Kochi/ Thrissur: Two topmost Congress leaders on Thursday expressed diametrically opposite views on the role the CPI played in the Thomas Chandy resignation issue, explaining the confusion of the principal opposition party in the state on an issue that has been rocking the ruling front for some time now. While KPCC president M.M. Hassan congratulated the junior partner in the LDF for its “tough decision” to stay away from the cabinet meet, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala demanded the resignation or ouster of the four CPI ministers whom he said had held a parallel cabinet meeting at secretariat on Wednesday morning demanding Mr Chandy’s resignation.
“It was the CPI’s stern stand against corruption which compelled Mr Chandy to quit the Cabinet,” Mr Hassan told reporters inn Kochi. “The CPM and the CPI are poles apart when it comes to corruption. While Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was going all out to guard the tainted minister, the CPI was ready even to boycott the cabinet meeting.” Mr Hassan said the development has exposed the loss of collective responsibility of the cabinet.
Mr Chennithala said in Thrissur that the four ministers had lost their confidence in the chief minister and their continuance in the cabinet was untenable. “The collector’s report against Mr Chandy, cancellation of the deed processed by Idukki MP Joyce George at Kottakamboor and the setting up of a water theme park by LDF MLA P.V. Anwar flouting laws have exposed the state government,” he said.
