Bring Back Unity in Congress, UDF Partners Urge Party Prez

KOTTAYAM: As part of equipping the UDF for upcoming Assembly elections, the coalition leaders have sought the intervention of Congress High Command for bringing unity in the Congress. In a one-to-one meeting with AICC president Sonia Gandhi, held at Government Guest house in Kottayam on Wednesday, the predominant demand put forth by UDF allies was the resolving of issues within in Congress.

The UDF partners, especially the Indian Union Muslim league and Kerala Congress (M), expressed their dissatisfaction over the factionalism in Congress and warned that it may spoil the UDF’s chances of retaining power. Speaking to ‘Express,’ KC (M) chairman K M Mani said he pointed out the importance of keeping unity in Congress, which is heading the coalition. “We said that unity should be brought back at any cost. At the same time, we also sought the betterment of Congress’s relationship with other parties and we should move to the Assembly election with a united team,” he said.

Mani also came down against Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, in view of the letter controversy. Without naming Ramesh, Mani said that certain quarters in the Congress party had made statements hurting the sentiments of the minorities. (In the letter allegedly written by Ramesh, it was pointed out that majority communities distanced from the UDF following Chandy government reportedly giving importance to minorities). “It should have been avoided,” Mani said, adding that Sonia took the issues in a favourable manner and her responses were positive.

Speaking to mediapersons at the Guest house, IUML leader and minister P K Kunhalikutty said they have taken up the issue of disunity in the Congress which they believe needed immediate intervention from the High Command. “Bringing back unity in the Congress and the UDF is essential while facing the ensuing elections,” he said. It is learnt that Sonia also spoke to IUML chief Pankkad Hyder Ali Shihab Thangal over telephone.