The Hindu : Kerala News : UDF, LDF looking out for scapegoats: IFDP

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 02, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

UDF, LDF looking out for scapegoats: IFDP

From A Correspondent

KOCHI, JUNE 1. Major political fronts in the State are trying to find scapegoats for the victory secured by the NDA in Muvattupuzha, P. C. Thomas, MP, told reporters at Nedumbassery, near here, today.

Referring to reports that the LDF was fixing responsibility on its local leaders for its candidate's failure, Mr. Thomas, who was on his way to New Delhi, said instead of realising the mood of the people, both the LDF and the UDF were holding local leaders responsible for the defeat.

Mr. Thomas said the LDF had named the leaders responsible for its defeat at Muvattupuzha and soon the UDF would follow suit. The allegation of `vote sales' was baseless. People stood by the NDA and the disputes in both LDF and UDF camps were testimony to the fact that his victory was the result of a transparent election process.

Asked whether the expectation of getting a ministerial berth at the Centre on NDA coming back to power had contributed to his victory, he said he now felt much stronger than a Minister. "It's me on one side and all the other MPs from Kerala on the other and I see it as a much stronger position," he added.

Mani should step down: The IFDP State general secretary, Jose Chemberi, has urged the Revenue Minister, K. M. Mani, to step down as leader of the Kerala Congress(M) as he had `deviated' from the basic principles of the Kerala Congress.

Mr. Mani could no longer continue as the leader of the Kerala Congress movement that had been formed to protect the interests of farmers and minorities and for securing the State's interests through democratic means. Mr. Mani was instrumental in weakening the party by accelerating its fragmentation into small parties for gaining personal benefits, Mr. Chemberi told reporters in Kannur today.

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