THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: At a time when rumours are rife about the Kerala Congress (M), which recently came out of the UDF, leaning towards the Left Front, senior KC (M) leaders Thomas Unniyadan and Victor Thomas held talks with CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan here on Friday.
Unniyadan, a chief whip during the Oommen Chandy government's tenure, met Kodiyeri along with Serifed chairman Victor Thomas. Later, Unniyadan denied having held any political discussions with the CPM leader. Speaking to ‘Express’, Unniyadan said the meeting was in connection with getting matching financial grant from the state government for Serifed.
"The meeting was held to ensure financial grant for Serified, chaired by Victor Thomas. During the last UDF government's time, funding for Serifed had been revised following a High Court order. As per the fund allotment structure, central Silk Board will give 80 pc of fund, while the state government should give 20 pc. Though Rs 69 lakh from the Centre was sanctioned, the matching grant from the state is pending," Unniyadan told Express.
He added that the meeting was to seek support from the Chief Minister through party channels, for which a representation was also given. However, no political discussions were held. Such reports are baseless, he said.
Still, the meeting between Kodiyeri and Unniyadan has once again created rumours over KC (M) entering the Left Front.