Thiruvananthapuram: If Saturday saw leaders belonging to both the factions criticising KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran for the Assembly election debacle, only ‘A’ group leaders showered their ire on him on the second day of the camp executive meeting.
Former excise minister K. Babu said that he was forced to implement the UDF’s liquor policy despite knowing that it was impractical. Mr Babu said though he was not keen on excise ministry, the portfolio was forced on him.
“I was linked to the liquor lobby which also contributed to my defeat in the polls. A party cannot be built by making false ideals. Just like Oommen Chandy expressed his desire not to be the Opposition leader, the party should also bear responsibility in the defeat,” said Mr Babu making an indirect reference to Mr Sudheeran.
Another prominent ‘A’ group leader and former Aranmula MLA K. Sivadasan Nair asked Mr Sudheeran to step down and go for organisational elections. He alleged that it was the wrong liquor policy that played spoilsport in the polls.
Senior Congress leader A.K. Antony, who too was not spared from attack on the first day of the meeting, said that criticisms have to be taken in the right spirit. He urged the partymen to bounce back with renewed vigour in the next six months.
“History shows that R. Sankar and K. Karunakaran were moved to tears when they were criticised for the poll defeats during their times. But they braved the attack with smiles on their faces,” said Mr Antony.
Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said he accepted the defeat with grace. But he urged his colleagues that they should neither be over excited about success nor be depressed by loss. Meanwhile, a UDF meeting is scheduled on Wednesday where the front members will evaluate the poll debacle.
