A K Balan criticizes CPI as differences surface in LDF

Thiruvananthapuram: Differences in the ruling CPI-M-led LDF in the State over the resignation of Thomas Chandy as Transport Minster came to the fore Thursday with senior CPI-M leader A K Balan criticizing CPI for skipping the cabinet meeting Wednesday morning.

CPI ministers E Chandrasekharan, V S Sunil Kumar, K Raju and P Thilothaman had not attended the cabinet meeting held before Thomas Chandy announced his resignation. The ministers said the move was as per a party directive asking them "not to attend the cabinet meet if Thomas Chandy took part."

Talking to the media here, Balan, the Minister of Electricity, said that the allies in the LDF did not have any particular ‘image’. “It is about the collective reputation of the LDF and the government. No party should claim the ‘wholesale dealership’ of that reputation,” he said in an apparent jibe at the CPI that claimed its ministers skipped the Cabinet meet to protect the image of the ruling Front.

“It was not appropriate for the CPI to skip the meet. That’s not right. The meeting had discussed several important matters. The government had a clear view about the resignation of Chandy. The LDF meeting, held earlier, had discussed that. The CPI State secretary had even talked to the media about the LDF decision. Then, why they skipped the Cabinet meeting is what I do not understand,” Balan said.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan too had expressed his displeasure over CPI ministers’ decision saying that it was an "unprecedented" step which should not have been happened.

CPI, a key partner in the ruling LDF had taken a stand that Chandy should quit the post following allegations of encroachments by his luxury resort in Alappuzha district and the High Court's strictures Tuesday.

The party was of the view that NCP, whose nominee is Chandy, should not be given more time for taking a decision as the issue was affecting the image of the ruling Front.