Chief minister post; Congress with political moves; sneak attacks launched

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Some senior Congress leaders have launched a sneak attack as the moves to take over the post of chief minister if UDF comes to power in the next elections are intensifying. The issue got serious when Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal wrote a post on Facebook praising Chennithala, who was the chief guest at the Jamia conference in Malappuram.

The Muslim League is the most influential party in the UDF in deciding the Chief Minister. A few days ago, NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair and SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan had come to the scene to praise Chennithala. It did not acquire much political turn. NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair and Muslim League state president Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangall had praised former opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala at the platforms of their respective organisations in his presence itself.

Some Congress leaders are making moves to increase acceptance among religious and communal organizations as well as within their own organizations. Opposition Leader VD Satheesan, who is distanced from the NSS-SNDP Yogam leadership, had established close ties with the Muslim League leadership. Comments praising Chennithala came from the league president in the meantime. Satheesan was invited to the events of Christian churches, including the Orthodox, and even to this year's Maramon Convention. It was after this that Chennithala was invited to the Mannam Jayanti conference, after a gap of a decade. General Secretary Sukumaran Nair described Chennithala as the son of NSS. Meanwhile, UDF constituent parties including the Muslim League have started trying to keep close the Mani faction of the Kerala Congress.

Post of chief minister is not earned by praise

• Former KPCC president K Muralidharan and UDF convener MM Hassan responded that one cannot get the chief ministership if one praises someone or attends meetings of community organizations.
• K Muralidharan's words were that it is not the community leaders who decide the Chief Minister, but the Congress high command.
• MM Hassan responded that the Chief Minister is not determined by the number of community organization programs participated in.
• Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan stated that he will never let go of morality for temporary gain or status.