The Hindu : Kerala News : UDF to discuss Narendran panel report

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Monday, Jul 05, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

UDF to discuss Narendran panel report

By Our Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE, JULY 4. The Narendran Commission Report recommendations will be discussed at the next United Democratic Front (UDF) liaison committee meeting.

Addressing a press conference here today, the Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, said that all the parties attached to the UDF had been asked to clarify their viewpoint on the report.

A final decision would be taken only after discussing the suggestions of the constituents at the meeting, he said.

Replying to queries, Mr. Antony said that it was a creation of the media that the Indian Union Muslim league (IUML) had served an ultimatum to the State Government to implement the recommendations within a specified time.

The Chief Minister said that the UDF constituents should refrain from making statements in public.

The issues should be raised and discussed at the concerned forums, he added.

While preferring to play down the factional feud in the State unit of the Congress, Mr. Antony hinted at the possibility of accommodating those who had been left out in the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) revamp.

If some people felt that they had not been included in the new committee, they could approach the party high command. Certainly, the high command would act on the problems, he added.

He said that various factors had led to the defeat of the Congress candidates in the Lok Sabha elections.

The leaders should now make an introspection to find out what had led to such a situation instead of airing statements in public, he said.

"Only unity and discipline will save the party. I am not for any confrontation with any one and I do not want to debate any issue in public," Mr. Antony said.

He added that the UDF Government would go ahead, correcting its mistakes, redefining its policies and changing its style of functioning.

Endorsing the Director General of Police, P.K. Hormese Tharakan's statement that political parties were shielding goons and criminals, the Chief Minister said that the situation had become worse because these days, even MLAs staged dharnas in front of police stations for release of the arrested.

He was referring to a recent incident in which the CPI(M) MLA, V.K. Mammed Koya, along with several activists, had created a scene in front of the Beypore police station following the arrest of Kadalundi grama panchayat members in connection with a blockade case.

"When the goondas are arrested, the leaders of political parties rush to the police stations to claim that the culprits are their staunch supporters," Mr. Antony said.

"Goonda gangs are used by political parties. Industrial houses and private moneylenders also hire them.

"An act similar to the Goonda Act is essential to curb the activities of anti-social elements in the State,'' he said.

Mr. Antony said that the UDF Government had taken effective steps to restore peace in North Kerala, especially in the Kannur, Kasaragod and Kozhikode districts that had been in turmoil under the Left Democratic Front rule.

Mr. Antony said that the State had urged the Centre to waive all agriculture loans of Rs. 50,000.

The banks in the State had also been asked to take steps to solve the crisis in various sectors, he added.

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