Kerala - Kottayam   

UDF plans stir for Paloli's resignation

Staff Reporter

KOTTAYAM: A meeting of the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) has decided to launch a State-wide agitation pressing for the resignation of Paloli Mohammed Kutty, Minister for Local Self-Government, and A.K. Balan, Minister for Electricity, who have been found guilty of contempt of court.

Briefing presspersons after the meeting on Tuesday, UDF convener P.P. Thankachan said if the Ministers failed to step down, the Chief Minister should `oust them.'

The agitation will include an awareness campaign at the grassroots-level and mobilisation of popular support for the UDF in the campaign, he said. The meeting which reiterated its avowed stand to keep away from the 50th anniversary of the first government of united Kerala, also decided to observe May 18, the first anniversary of the Achuthanandan Government as 'Betrayal Day".

The UDF committees at the Mandalam-level would hold dharna, procession and public meetings in front of selected government offices at the panchayat-level on the day, he said.

Mr. Mohammed Kutty should have stepped down the moment the court pronounced him guilty, Mr. Thankachan said and added that the UDF leaders had earlier stepped down as ministers for much lighter observations from the court.

Mr. Thankachan said the comments made by the Prime Minister on the functioning of the judiciary reflected to the studied stand of the Congress party on the subject. It in no way contradicted the UDF stance on the Paloli Mohammed Kutty Issue.

The UDF convener alleged that the Government was running away from its commitment to the consensus made during adjournment of the Aassembly sessions. When the session adjourned, it was agreed that it would resume on April 17. The State was passing through a major drought-like situation and there were so many subjects directly linked to the interests of the common man to be discussed. However, the Government had not yet decided to hold the session so far, he said.

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

Stories in this Section

UDF plans stir for Paloli's resignation
Jubilee fete: CMP to go it alone
86.31% achievement in project implementation

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu