George dismisses reports his removal as govt chief whip

Rebel Kerala Congress (M) leader P C George today dismissed reports that the ruling Congress-led UDF has decided to remove him from the post of government chief whip.
George said party chairman and Finance Minister K M Mani doesn't have moral authority to seek his removal from the post.
"I had a conversation with Chief Minister (Oommen Chandy) this morning. He did not tell me such a thing," the Kerala Congress (M) vice chairman said when asked about the reports.
George said he was given the post of government chief whip on the basis of an agreement reached within the UDF and Mani's demand for his removal from the post is violation of the deal.

Irritated by George's public remarks against Mani, facing bribery charges in bar scam after he presented the budget on March 13 amid protests by opposition LDF, eight KC(M) legislators headed by Mani have sought removal of the Poonjar MLA from the post of government chief whip and barring him from attending the liaison committee meeting of UDF.
Addressing a press conference in Kottayam, George recalled his Kerala Congress (Secular)'s merger with KC(M) before 2011 Assembly polls and said he agreed to join Mani's party after UDF leaders, including Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Industries Minister and IUML leader P K Kunhalikutty persuaded him to do so.

George asked UDF leaders to facilitate his exit from the Kerala Congress (M), allow him to revive his Kerala Congress (Secular) and make it a partner of Congress-led UDF.

"I hope the UDF leadership will take a decision after the Holy week (of Christians)," he said.
However, Mani has strongly opposed the rebel leader's demand, saying George was given the post of Government Chief Whip as the representative of the Kerala Congress (M).
Mani has also said George should not be allowed to move out of KC(M) having nine legislators in the Assembly. The vetern leader is calculating that George, a lone MLA, cannot go out of the party and he would be forced to quit on his own.