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Antony calls for UDF unity to fight CPI(M)

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM OCT. 21. The Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, today sought to project the anti-CPI(M) fundamentals of the UDF by calling for unity in the ruling coalition. Mr. Antony told mediapersons here soon on his arrival from Delhi that the UDF had seen several ups and downs, electoral defeats and differences among and within its constituents. ``On all these occasions, the issues were sorted out. The same way, the current issues also would be sorted out,'' he said.The Chief Minister said the UDF had been formed decades ago to fight the CPI(M)'s anti-democratic stand and political violence. The UDF was still relevant today and the coalition should remain intact in order to fight the CPI(M), he added.

Mr. Antony's plea for UDF unity to fight the CPI(M) comes in the context of general speculation about his arch political rival, K. Karunakaran's moves to forge an alliance with Left parties and that some of the UDF partners might team up with Mr. Karunakaran. Mr. Antony's statement was intended to rekindle the anti-CPI(M) sentiments of the coalition partners, some of which do not see eye to eye with the CPI(M).

Mr. Antony said the UDF had always opposed the CPI(M)'s policy perceptions, which were never in the larger interests of the State. When in power, the CPI(M) had always promoted political violence and murders. It was not possible for one party alone to fight against the CPI(M), which had been opposed to development and had been a votary of agitational politics. With regard to the removal notice against the Speaker, Vakkom B. Purushothaman, the Chief Minister said, ``it has not come before the Government officially. No one has formally made such a demand. The modalities would be discussed in the Cabinet, which would take a decision. Asked whether action would be taken against the Karunakaran faction leaders for indiscipline, he said it was for the high command to take a decision on the issue. Mr. Antony said he would not disclose the details of his discussion with the party president, Sonia Gandhi, and the AICC general secretary, Ahmed Patel. ``You are free to write what you want on an issue to which only three of us are privy,'' he remarked. He admitted that there was scope for further improvement in his functioning. ``I am willing to correct mistakes if they are pointed out. I am not stubborn about it. After all, I am a human being,'' he observed.

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