The Hindu : Government a `dead horse', says Achuthanandan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 30, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Government a `dead horse', says Achuthanandan

By Our Staff Reporter

KOLLAM Nov. 29. The Leader of the Opposition, V.S. Achuthanandan, has said that the A.K. Antony Government is already a ``dead horse'' and that in the month of January when the State Assembly will go in session, political changes in tune with what the majority of the people desire will take place. He was addressing a `Meet-the-Press' programme here today.

When asked whether it would mean the exit of the A.K. Antony Government, Mr. Achuthanandan said `wait and see what happens'. He said that his party's support to Mr. Karunakaran was one limited to bringing down the Antony Government. The step after that, pertaining to the LDF support for a new government, would depend upon who comes to rule and whether the claimants for that were able to convince that they would sincerely find solutions to the problems faced by the people.

He said that it was no secret that the Karunakaran faction was even considering formation of a new government without the support of the CPI(M) and the LDF. ``They have plans to effect the same through a repeat of 1995 by making attempts to convince the Congress high command on the need for Mr. Antony's exit,'' he said. If such a situation emerged, the need for LDF support did not arise, he said.

When asked whether the clamour for the removal of Mr. Antony was issue based, Mr. Achuthanandan said that whatever may be the reasons, the basic aim of `I' faction and the LDF was the same and that is the exit of Mr. Antony. He said that on the part of the LDF, after the Thiruvalla by-poll, the agitation for the resignation of Mr. Antony would be strengthened further. He reiterated the LDF demand for the resignation of the Speaker, Vakkom Purushothaman. He said Mr. Purushothaman had maligned the position of the Speaker.

On the Rs.1-crore allegation raised by the Speaker, Mr. Achuthanandan took a dig at him by posing a question whether that money had come from the Asian Development Bank to ensure the safety of the Antony Government. Mr. Achuthanandan said that while some of the agitations launched by the LDF against the Antony Government did not meet with the expected success, these agitations were able to demolish the UDF Government's brute majority pride.

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Government a `dead horse', says Achuthanandan