The Hindu : Kerala News : Massive show of strength by KC(Jacob)

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 12, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Massive show of strength by KC(Jacob)

By Our Staff Reporter

KOTTAYAM, DEC. 11. The Kerala Congress (Jacob) leader, T. M. Jacob, who is facing one of the worst crises of his political career, once again demonstrated his organisational prowess by putting up a splendid show of strength and expressed his resolve to stick to a confrontationist posture against the Oommen Chandy-led dispensation, on the second day of the State conference of his party here today.

The beleaguered leader is expected to declare the future course of action on Sunday, after the adoption of the political resolution at the special meeting of party leaders.

`Ruin of UDF'

Addressing a crowd of more than 30,000 people at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the UDF leader held the Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, and the Law Minister, K. M. Mani, responsible for what he termed the ruination of the UDF in the State.

Comparing Mr. Chandy with the proverbial simian who tinkered with a garland, Mr. Jacob used the choicest epithet to describe his (Mr Chandy's) four-month old rule, all through his 40-minute tirade.

Mr. Jacob maintained that the former Chief Minister, A. K. Antony, was, in fact, pushed out of power by Mr. Chandy and he (Mr. Chandy) was repaying the debt to the IUML leader, P. K. Kunhalikutty for his services rendered during the period, now, as was evident from the way the Government was conducting the ice-cream parlour sex scandal case.

He also came down heavily on Mr. Mani in this regard. Dubbing Mr. Chandy the most unpopular leader to sit on the Chief Minister's chair, Mr Jacob said the UDF would have to satisfied with 15 or 16 seats in the coming assembly elections, if they faced the electorate under his (Chandy's) leadership. Earlier the KC (Jacob) put up a massive show of strength taking out a march.

Participants who came from the southern districts met at Kodimatha and those from other district assembled at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and moved to Nagambadom to culminate in the public meeting.

Women in rally

Women in large numbers were present in the rally. Mr. Jacob and many of the party's senior leaders participated in the rally with their families.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala