Indian Union Muslim League, the second largest partner in the ruling UDF in Kerala, today made it clear that the party did not have anything to do with the decision of KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala not to join the Oommen Chandy Ministry.
Alluding to his party's objections to creation of a Deputy Chief Minister's slot to accommodate Chennithala, IUML leader and Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty said whether Chennithala should be inducted in the cabinet or not was an entirely internal issue of the Congress.
"The Congress high command did not consult the front partners on this issue. So, we are not a factor in the development," he told reporters here.
Meanwhile, former KPCC president K Muraleedharan said Chennithala's made a good decision in the prevailing circumstances.
"It is good for the party that Chennithala continues as KPCC President. Since he took over as state unit chief, the UDF has won all elections," Muraleedharan told reporters in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram.
Chandy had proposed to induct Chennithala into his ministry as part of an effort to improve the image of the Congress-led UDF government, which is under attack from CPI-M led LDF opposition over the solar panel scam that has brought the Chief Minister's office under a cloud.
However, Chennithala was not keen on the ministerial berth following which Congress President Sonia Gandhi today rejected the proposal.
