Chandy, Chennithala play down NSS attack on UDF Govt

Declining to join issue with NSS over its open call that Chennithala be given a key position in the ministry, Chandy said he enjoyed an excellent rapport with the KPCC chief and has been getting all support from him.

"I have no difference with Ramesh. We have been working together, sharing our views. I have been getting excellent support from him ever since he became the KPCC president," Chandy told reporters.

Refusing to be carried away by NSS General Secretary G Sukumaran Nair's call in support of him at the "Nair Mahasammelanam" here yesterday, Chennithala said his sole agenda for the time being was to equip the party for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls to ensure a landslide victory in the state.

"My entire focus is on strengthening the party for the Lok Saba polls. I have no agenda other than this before me," Chennithala told reporters categorically, adding, he was not interested in getting involved in controversies.

UDF convener P P Thankachan, himself a senior Congress leader, however, took objection to the NSS's criticism against Chandy over his stand that a reshuffle of the state cabinet was not on the cards.

"This is not an issue to be decided by any community outfit. The Congress has its central and state leadership to decide on the party's nominees in the ministry", Thankachan said.

The NSS leader had yesterday accused the Congress-led UDF Government led by Oommen Chandy of "upsetting the communal balance" in governance and made a strong pitch for installing KPCC chief Ramesh Chennithala in a key position in the ministry.

Addressing the 'Nair Mahasammelanam" organised here by the NSS, Nair had alleged the Congress leadership went back on the promises it made to the outfit on the eve of 2011 assembly polls.

"The Congress leadership had given a word to the NSS that Chennithala would be given a key position in the ministry... Now, Chandy says a cabinet reshuffle is not on the cards. How can he take such a unilateral stand " he said.