The Hindu : Front Page : KC(J) leaders call on LDF top brass

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Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007
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KC(J) leaders call on LDF top brass

Special Correspondent

Kerala Congress (J) chairman P.J. Joseph led the delegation.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as the State committee of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is scheduled to meet here on August 30 to discuss the allegations against Public Works Minister T.U. Kuruvilla, Kerala Congress (J) leaders have begun informal discussions with the LDF top brass to convince them that Mr. Kuruvilla is not guilty of the charges that have brought up against him.

KC(J) chairman P.J. Joseph and the Minister himself were part of the delegation that called on the Communist Part of India (Marxist) (CPI(M), Communist Part of India (CPI) and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) leaders over the last two days. The LDF leadership has left the issue open and does not wish to jump into any conclusions merely on the basis of media reports. Mr. Kuruvilla’s contention is that he could not be held responsible for what his children had done. The KC(J) leadership has also endorsed this position and their attempt is to bring the LDF leadership round to this view.

As the KC(J) leaders presented it, the case appeared to be one of complex business relationships involving Mr. Kuruvilla’s family members and, at many points, going beyond them and involving other actors both within and outside the world of politics. According to them, the deal that is at the root of the current controversy was struck sometime in March this year, but went awry when Munnar became too hot to handle after the Munnar demolition operations. The result has been the bitter face off between the two sides resulting in the current political stalemate.

With Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy coming out with the demand that Mr. Kuruvilla should either quit or be dropped from the Cabinet, there is some pressure on the LDF leadership to take a decision in the matter. The CPI(M) State secretariat had, at its meeting here recently, opted for wider consultations before any decision was taken. The CPI(M) decision was immediately interpreted by sections of the media as an attempt to given Mr. Kuruvilla enough time to marshal support for his case. However, top CPI(M) leaders say that the decision only meant that the CPI(M) did not wish to impose its decision on the LDF on such a sensitive issue.

From available indications, Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan is not happy with the turn of events, but he does not wish to be seen as calling all the shots when what is involved is the prestige of the alliance as a whole. He is likely to present his arguments strongly at the LDF committee meeting.

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