National Congress Party state meet to decide on next Kerala transport minister

Thiruvananthapuram: CPM central leadership has reservations about giving Cabinet berth to NCP MLA Thomas Chandy in the wake of A K Saseendran's resignation. Sources said that the central leadership has not conveyed its views to the state leaders. It has left the decision on the new minister to the LDF. The central leadership said though it had a strong opinion on the issue, it would only convey the same if the state leaders sought their views. The CPM central leadership is also upset with the NCP for extending support to the BJP government in Goa. The party leadership has sought clarification from the NCP regarding their tie up in Goa.

CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury is likely to speak to NCP president Pawar on Tuesday to discuss these issues. Earlier in the day CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had stated that the decision on the new minister has to be taken by NCP. Even NCP supremo Sharad Pawar had expressed his opposition to Thomas Chandy’s name at the time of formation of Pinarayi Vijayan government. He had also conveyed his opposition to the CPM leadership which had paved the way for Saseendran's entry into the LDF Government. Meanwhile, NCP state president Uzhavoor Vijayan said that the state leadership will meet soon to discuss the situation arising out of Saseendran’s resignation. He said the party would taken a decision on the issue at an appropriate time. However, he hoped that Saseendran would be able to prove his innocence and stage a comeback to the LDF Ministry.