Ganesh, George lock horns over Nelliampathi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Creating a crisis in the ruling UDF in Kerala, Forest Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar and Government Chief Whip P.C. George on Tuesday locked horns publicly, both inside and outside the state legislative assembly, over the trouble of taking back those estates at Nelliampathi the tenure period of which is over and contract for deed violated.


The crisis worsened further when Congress MLAs came forward criticizing the Chief Whip. Though Chief Minister Oommen Chandy clarified that the problem would be solved through discussions, Opposition Leader V.S. Achuthanandan demanded the government itself should step down. The opposition which staged a walk out from the state assembly over the issue has now moved to take stronger steps.


The disharmony within the ruling front was triggered by an adjournment motion brought by Chenthamarakshan of CPI (M) which was later termed by P.C. George as sponsored by Minister Ganesh Kumar. George reprimanded Ganesh Kumar in a press conference convened at the media room.


In the assembly, Ganesh retorted that people were not fools to believe that the opposition brought an adjournment motion exclusively for him. “Some people could say anything. That shouldn’t be taken seriously”, he said even as he advised the shouting opposition members.


Chief Whip had taken a stand against the taking over of estates (tenure period of which is over and contract for deed violated) by government. He had also sent a letter concerning this and on its basis a sub-committee was formed with M.M. Hassan as chairman, but the committee has not yet met. Meanwhile, the government went on the process of take over. This infuriated P.C. George.


On Tuesday, in a reply to opposition leader V.S. Achuthanandan, Minister Ganesh Kumar said he was unaware of a sub-committee but learnt it from dailies. The question which arises here is that even though a committee was formed by the UDF, how come the minister remained unaware of it. Besides, UDF convener P.P. Thankachan has made it clear that he had sent a letter to the minister about the sub-committee.


Next UDF meet is on July 17. Sources say that a clear stance could not be taken at the meet since leaders in each constituent parties of UDF hold dissimilar opinions.


Following this, the Minister sent a written complaint against Chief Whip to Chief Minister. The Chief Whip also lodged a complaint against the minister. Congress MLAs led by T.N. Prathapan has also complained to the Chief Minister against Chief Whip P.C. George.