Nationalist Congress Kerala (NCK) leader Mani C. Kappan, MLA, has launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) for its lack of unity and collective responsibility.
Speaking to mediapersons in Pala on Thursday , Mr. Kappan said he had been ignored by the UDF leadership for quite a while. “I am neither informed of the coalition’s programmes nor extended an invite to its platforms. I was not even informed of the visit of a UDF delegation to Madappally, a location within my district, in connection with the SilverLine protests. They could have reached out to me at least through a phone call,’‘ he said.
While acknowledging the individual performance of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K. Sudhakaran and Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, he demanded that the lapses in coordinating the activities of various coalition partners be rectified at the earliest.
Responding to Mr. Kappan's remark, Mr. Satheesan said he should have raised such issues on UDF platforms instead of airing them publicly to the media.
The remarks by Mr. Kappan assumed significance against the backdrop of speculations over his switching over to the Left Democratic Front (LDF). A couple of weeks ago he had met Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar, triggering speculations on his possible return to the NCP. Both the NCP and Mr. Kappan had dismissed these reports.
The Kerala Congress, meanwhile, has kick-started attempts to resolve the differences of opinion within the coalition. Responding to Mr. Kappan's remarks, Kerala Congress chairman P.J. Joseph said the issues raised by Mr. Kappan would be addressed through talks.
“The Kerala Congress does not have any complaints over the functioning of the UDF leadership,” Mr. Joseph said in Thodupuzha. Besides Mr. Joseph, Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan held that the grievances aired by Mr. Kappan would be looked into.
The NCP, meanwhile, held that the LDF was not really keen to attach anyone from the UDF for the time being. “I think Mr. Kappan just disclosed the difficulties that he had been facing within the UDF,” said NCP leader and Forest Minister A.K. Saeendran.
