An editorial critical of ruling UDF partner JD(U) in Congress mouthpiece today left the coalition leader in Kerala embarrassed, prompting top state leadership to disassociate itself from it.
Both KPCC President V M Sudheeran and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said what appeared in the article published in today's edition of Veekashanam daily was not the stand of Congress.
The editorial came in the wake of JD(U) expressing reservation over the attitude of Congress. JD(U) had stated that the party was not getting due consideration from UDF.
Besides, JD(U) President M P Veerendra Kumar's recent meeting with CPI-M veteran V S Achuthanandan and party state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had triggered speculation that the party was planning to return to the LDF fold.
"It is not the policy of the Congress to criticise and oppose a front partner," Chandy told reporters in response to a question during cabinet briefing here.
As the lead partner of the UDF, it was the responsiblity of the Congress to take all the partners together, he said adding 'Congress has not shown any upperhand attitude' towards any of its allies.
"There was no complaint from any of its partners that Congress behaved that way," he said adding the party had a "very cordial relation" with JDU.
Chandy also said issues raised by Veerendra Kumar were all political and they have been sorted out after discussions, adding "I failed to understand the reason for a critical editorial now in the mouthpiece."
Sudheeran rejected the contents of the editorial and said it was published without the knowledge of Congress leadership.
The party would discuss the issue and take appropriate steps not to repeat such things, he added.
JD(U) moved out of LDF and became a partner in UDF during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections after sharp differences with CPI-M over seat sharing issue.
JD(U) has two MLA's in the Assembly and one of them K P Mohanan is the State Minister for Agriculture.
The editorial reminded JD(U) that UDF accepted the party when the LDF pushed it out the front and the party should not be ungrateful.
Apparently seeking to reach out to Veerendra Kumar, Sudheeran said he "is a senior leader of the UDF. There is nothing wrong in Kumar meeting CPI-M leaders," he added.
