THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Isn’t some rift brewing between the IUML, the second biggest constituent in the UDF, and leading partner in the Congress? Doubts and rumours on this score are making rounds non-stop after IUML ministers, particularly P K Kunhalikutty, party heavy weight and ranked No 2 in the UDF Ministry, were conspicuous by their absence in the Vizhinjam Seaport project agreement signing ceremony on Monday.
When he was not seen anywhere in the CIAL solar power grid launch function on the next day, suspicions grew further. With the reported tough stand being followed by the IUML on conducting the local bodies polls with the latest delimitation of wards and panchayats only, rumour mills had no respite. Added to it was a meeting the IUML ministers led by Kunhalikutty had with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday.
Chandy himself clarified that none needn’t read much on the IUML. “No way”, he laughed at mediapersons on queries related to the party, in a weekly post-Cabinet briefing.“Do you have only this much to say, taking cue from what CPM secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had put across? What can I do?” Chandy kept downplaying. “There was an important meeting of the Muslim League and all the ministers were away to attend it, while Chief Secretary Jiji Thompson had to be in Supreme Court in person on that day to file an affidavit on a case related to Capex factories,” Chandy said.
It is reliably learnt that the IUML team, in their meeting with Chandy took strong exception to a growing trend of putting the party in bad light on crucial issues, even when no decision is taken highhandedly.
The IUML has an ill-feeling on being left to take all the blame in the local bodies polls issue, apart from giving a communal colour to its each and every stand.
Though unsaid, the IUML bandwagon also feels their nominees are not being seriously included in key functions of some associated portfolios like seaports and airports, handled by Congress ministers.