Kerala - Kottayam   

Kerala Congress factions join issue

Staff Reporter

Take differing stance on tussle between Church and CPI(M)

KOTTAYAM: The Kerala Congress factions, which had so far maintained a studied silence on the ongoing tussle between the Church and the CPI(M), have now joined issue.

Kerala Congress (J) chairman P.J. Joseph, while asserting the right of Bishops to issue pastoral letters, however, made it clear that the his party would not support the formation of Vigilance teams if the intention was to handle the situation physically. Mr. Joseph was addressing a press conference here on Saturday.

Replying to a question, Mr. Joseph said a misunderstanding on the part of the CPI(M) State secretary on the nature of Pastoral Letters had led to the controversy.

He has shown readiness to sort out the issue through dialogues and the Church leaders too were speaking on the same lines. “As such it has become a non-issue,” Mr. Joseph said.

The controversy has generated misgivings in the minds of the minority. The Government should take steps to remove s

uch suspicions, he said. “The Government should initiate dialogues to find a lasting solution to the complex issues facing the education sector.”

Meanwhile, in a separate development, Kerala Congress(M) chairman C.F. Thomas said the Achuthanandan Government had forfeited its moral right to continue in power in the wake of the adverse comments by the apex court.

It was the responsibility of the Governments in power to protect the rights of the people, ensured under the Constitution.

The adverse remarks by the Supreme Court were a clear pointer to the fact that the LDF Government had breached this commitment, he said at a press conference here.

Dismissing the call by CPI(M) State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan on the need for a dialogue on the issue, Mr. Thomas said the Government was trying to defeat the very purpose for which the minorities had started their institutions. Alleging that the Government was using the language of a Stalinist state, the Kerala Congress chairman said the intention of the CPI(M) was to stifle all dissent.

“The party will support any legitimate move from any quarters for the protection of its constitutional rights,” Mr. Thomas said in reply to a question.

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