UDF Leaders Seek To Defuse Row Over Adoor Prakash’s Remarks
On Thursday, Prakash, a Congress MP, told a press conference at the KPCC office that key decisions were being taken without consultation, UDF meetings were not being convened, and he was learning about important developments through the media
Thiruvananthapuram: Leaders of the constituent parties in the ruling UDF on Saturday sought to put an end to the controversy triggered by the remarks of Adoor Prakash, convenor of the front, that key decisions of the state government were being taken without consulting allies, amid attempts by the Opposition to highlight the issue.
On Thursday, Prakash, a Congress MP, told a press conference at the KPCC office that key decisions were being taken without consultation, UDF meetings were not being convened, and he was learning about important developments through the media.
His remarks drew support as well as criticism from various UDF leaders.
CPI(M) leaders, including Leader of the Opposition in the Keralam Assembly Pinarayi Vijayan, later targeted Chief Minister VD Satheesan, saying Prakash's remarks reflected that decisions were being taken unilaterally and that there were issues within the UDF.
However, AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal on Saturday hit back at Vijayan.
"The UDF government in Kerala is ruling very peacefully and smoothly, and it will continue to move forward. If there are minor issues, we will sit down together and resolve them to move forward. No other problem is going to arise out of it. Everything will move forward," he told reporters.
Referring to Vijayan's remarks, Venugopal said, "In his party, he was moving forward by using an iron fist against all opposition and suppressing all opposing views. In our party, there might be some differing opinions here and there. But none of those is issues that escalate to a major level; all of them will be resolved amicably, and we will move forward. He can rest easy on that."
Senior Congress leader and Keralam Assembly Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan told reporters in Kasaragod that differences were natural in politics and should not be blown out of proportion.
"Politics will have its clashes and friction. Don't pots and pans clatter when kept together? Similarly, there is nothing to make a big deal out of it. In which politics does everything flow smoothly like a sweet, uninterrupted river from start to finish? Opinions will be voiced from both sides, counter-opinions will arise, and naturally, they will find a solution," he said.
Radhakrishnan said he preferred to maintain some distance from the issue and refrain from making an official statement, adding that he hoped the leaders concerned would resolve it among themselves.
Asked whether he believed there were issues within the UDF, he said differences were natural in coalition politics and should be resolved at the political level.
He added that as Speaker, his intervention would be required only in matters falling within the jurisdiction of the Assembly.
"Isn't a guiding authority needed in Kerala who can listen to everyone's grievances and act with harmony toward all? That is my opinion. That is a unique role the Speaker can fulfil. I can only act under such circumstances," he said.
