The Hindu : Front Page : LDF panel sets deadline for Kerala Congress(J)

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Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007
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LDF panel sets deadline for Kerala Congress(J)

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State committee of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) has set October 12 as the deadline for the Kerala Congress (J) to come up with its Minister nominee.

The LDF leadership, which discussed the issue here on Monday, told the KC(J) leaders present at the meeting, including party chairman P.J. Joseph, that it could not allow the position allotted to the KC(J) in the Cabinet to remain vacant beyond October 12 as that would cause much embarrassment to the LDF and the government. The position has been remaining vacant for the last one month following the resignation of T.U. Kuruvilla as Public Works Minister. Mr. Kuruvilla himself had become Minister over a year ago when Mr. Joseph stepped down following allegations that he had misbehaved with a woman co-passenger while on a flight from Chennai to Kochi.

VS raises the issue

The issue was raised by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, who chaired the LDF panel meeting. He informed the committee about the letter handed over to him by the KC(J) leadership recently seeking some more time to take a decision in the matter. Once the Chief Minister reported the matter, the KC(J) leaders explained that they were awaiting the outcome of the investigation being conducted by the Chennai police into the allegation against Mr. Joseph. The LDF leaders agreed to give time till October 12 by when the Chennai police are expected to submit their investigation report, but made it clear that the matter could not be allowed to drag on indefinitely.

Briefing reporters after the LDF committee meeting, Front convener Vaikom Viswan said the deadline did not imply an ultimatum to the KC(J). Asked whether there would be a judicial inquiry once the Chennai police submitted its report, he said that would depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.

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