The Hindu : Kerala News : Drought relief: KPCC urges Manmohan, Sonia to intervene

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 14, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Drought relief: KPCC urges Manmohan, Sonia to intervene

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, AUG. 13. The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) vice-president, A.C. Jose, has urged the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and the UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, to intervene on behalf of Kerala and secure its due in the matter of drought relief.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr. Jose, who was accompanied by the KPCC general secretary, Kodikunnil Suresh, urged the Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, to be more sharp in his words while criticising the Centre for neglecting Kerala's interests. He strongly protested against the casual attitude of the Union Ministers and officials towards various issues affecting Kerala. He said that drought and flood conditions in Kerala could not be compared with that occurring in other States. Cash crops were Kerala's mainstay and the effect of drought would be seen only in the succeeding year. He said the failure to recognise the rightful claims of States would harm the interests of national integration. He said it was unfortunate that a senior leader like Sharad Pawar, Union Minister, should have made a remark that was detrimental to the interests of the State.

Rubber import

Mr. Jose criticised the Centre's decision to relax the norms for rubber imports by allowing its multi-port entry and alleged that the relaxation was intended to appease the powerful tyre manufacturers' lobby. In the case of the Vallarpadom Container Transhipment project, he alleged that the delay in finalising the project was on account of the influence of a lobby based in Sri Lanka and Dubai. In reply to a question, he said that these issues would be raised at the AICC conclave slated to be held in Delhi from August 19 to 21. The issue would also be discussed with the Congress President, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, during her proposed visit on August 29.

Bid to strengthen party

In reply to a question, Mr. Jose admitted that there was a feeling of paralysis in the State administration. He wanted the party high command to take an early decision to solve the problems in the party and the Government it leads. He denied the allegation that the new KPCC was inactive. "We have already visited all the 14 districts and have held discussions with the district leaders on reviving the party. The KSU and Youth Congress executives, which had not been convened for 18 and 10 years respectively, met here the other day to seek out ways to revive the functioning of the two feeder organisations.

Organisational polls

In reply to a question, he said that only holding of organisational elections could solve the problems in the party. He said the KPCC executive would be convened soon. Mr. Suresh criticised the BJP and its feeder organisations for launching an agitation against the handing over of the Halcyon Castle.

The BJP leader, O. Rajagopal, who was a member of the NDA Ministry that had decided on the sale of the ITDC-owned property, should apologise to the people before launching the stir. He said the State Government should take over the hotel.

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