The Hindu : Front Page : Kerala Congress (B) returns to UDF

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Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005

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Kerala Congress (B) returns to UDF

Special Correspondent

No strings attached to the decision, say Balakrishna Pillai and Chennithala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: : The Kerala Congress (B) found its way back into the UDF camp, with its leader R. Balakrishna Pillai making a formal announcement on Monday about his decision to return to the fold. Mr. Pillai's return to the UDF camp had been in the air for the last few weeks. The matter was confirmed on Monday at a special meeting between him and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala in the presence of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

Both Mr. Chennithala and Mr. Pillai separately informed mediapersons that the return was without any conditions. Mr. Pillai said he had been with the UDF for 24 years, but had to stay away from the coalition following differences that had been sorted out in the discussions. In the intervening period, he had not joined any other front, he added. "The decision to continue in the UDF is that of the Kerala Congress (B)'s," he said.

Mr. Pillai said his return to the Chandy Cabinet was not a point that was discussed. He would campaign for the UDF in the local bodies elections, he said. When asked about adjustments in the local bodies elections, Mr. Pillai said attempts would be made to arrive at an understanding even though the last date for withdrawal was over.

Mr. Chennithala said the Kerala Congress(B) had never been expelled from the UDF. The posts of chairman and corporation boards that were allotted to the Kerala Congress (B) would continue in the hands of the partymen. The KPCC president asserted that Kerala Congress (B)'s return was a clear signal that the UDF was gaining in strength and widening its popular base. The Chief Minister, Water Resources Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and KC(B) general secretary K.B. Ganesh Kumar were present.

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