Fresh hurdles appear to have come up in the way of KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala's induction in UDF ministry in Kerala with major ally Indian Union Muslim League cautioning Congress against taking a unilateral decision on creating the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
Though signals from Congress sources after the much-hyped meeting between Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Chennithala last night was that of a broad agreement, Chandy today sounded non-committal and blamed the media for putting out highly speculative stories on making Chennithala as Deputy Chief Minister.
"The only decision last night between us was to apprise the high command of the details of the talk. It is for the high command to take a final call. The matter has also to be discussed in UDF. I cannot do anything without the high command's nod and without discussing it in UDF," Chandy told reporters.
Reacting to the development, E T Muhammad Basheer, senior leader of IUML, the second largest partner in UDF, said Congress cannot take a decision on the issue of Deputy Chief Ministership without discussing it among the front partners.
"Congress is free to decide on inducting Chennithala as a minister. But it cannot take a unilateral decision on the question of the Deputy Chief Minister", he said.
Though IUML took a tough stand, another major UDF partner Kerala Congress (M) took a soft approach on the matter that has been troubling Congress as well as the ruling alliance as a whole.
"We have no problem in Ramesh being made the DCM. But before taking a decision, the issue should be discussed in UDF," Kerala Congress (M) leader and Finance Minister K M Mani said.
Induction of Chennithala in the cabinet has been vexing the party in the state for over a week with rival groups associated with Chandy and Chennithala locked in wranglings over the portfolio and the rank of DCM.
While the Chandy camp is prepared to accommodate Chennithala giving him Revenue, the rivals want the KPCC president to be made the DCM with the key Home portfolio.
If Chennithala is brought to the cabinet, that would also lead for revamp of KPCC including installation of a new state president.
