Kerala Cong (M) leaving UDF is 'opportunist politics': Congress

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) dubbed Kerala Congress (M)'s decision to quit UDF as "opportunist."

 

"KC-M's decision to quit UDF is opportunist politics as they left without any valid and just reason," KPCC President V M Sudheeran told reporters. "It is not equidistance policy, but opportunist politics," Sudheeran said, attacking KC(M) supremo Mani.

 

He rejected Mani's charge that a section in Congress had tried to weaken and "insult KC-M and its leaders."

 

"Congress party leaders worked for the victory of KC-M candidates in the last polls and only wanted to strengthen that party...it is painful that they left the Front," he said.

 

"Congress also would not allow anybody to isolate and attack any Congress leader," Sudheeran said, apparently referring to KC-M charge that a 'conspiracy' by a section in the Congress led by Ramesh Chennithala, was behind the bar bribery scam.

 

"All decisions in the bar bribery scam were taken based on general consensus arrived by Congress leaders," he said.

 

Congress also did not denounce Mani over the scam and protected him even after it suffered setback, Sudheeran said.

 

Referring to the KC-M leader's remark that they have been "insulted" by Congress, Sudheeran said Mani did not lodge a complaint with the Front about any issue before or after the assembly polls.

 

Asked whether Congress would take back KC-M to its fold if the party returns, Sudheeran said "that question has no relevance at the present juncture."

 

Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who was deputed by the party to hold talks with Mani, said KC (M) leader's decision was "unfortunate". "Congress has tried to sort out all issues," he said.

 

Reacting to the development, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said Mani will remain only where there is power.

 

Read more on the Cong-KC (M) breakup: Kerala Congress (M) leaves UDF camp

 

"Mani should have aired his problems in the Front or to Congress...No one can create any rift among Congress over this issue... no one should think that they can destroy Congress," he said.