LDF meeting concludes without discussion on deputy leader post; parties aim for bilateral resolution

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPI did not raise the issue of the Opposition deputy leader’s post at the LDF meeting, and the matter was not discussed as no one brought it up. The dispute between the CPM and CPI over the post had delayed the LDF meeting by more than three months. CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam had publicly maintained that the post was the CPI’s rightful claim and that the party would not back down. However, the meeting discussed the government’s wrong decisions and the agitation programmes against them. The CPI clarified that it had not said that it would raise the issue at the meeting. The CPI said it had already raised the demand before the LDF and that the CPM had to take a decision on it. Had the matter come up for discussion, the CPI would have made its position clear.

Meanwhile, there are indications that the two parties have reached an understanding to resolve the issue through bilateral discussions. The LDF has decided to hold its next meeting next month, after the CPM’s extended committee completes its review of the election results. Efforts are being made to reach an agreement on the deputy leader’s post before the next LDF meeting. Both factions of the NCP attended the LDF meeting. LDF convenor T.P. Ramakrishnan said at a press conference that the NCP had a long-standing relationship with the front. He said efforts were being made to bring together the factions that remained divided and added that the issues within the INL would also be resolved soon.

Convenor reacts angrily to questions

LDF convenor T.P. Ramakrishnan reacted angrily when journalists questioned him about the CPM-CPI dispute over the Opposition deputy leader’s post.

The question about why the parliamentary party meeting had not been held triggered his reaction. He said the absence of a parliamentary party meeting had not caused any lapse in the functioning of the Assembly.

He said the media outlet concerned might have its own interests and that he could not respond to them. Ramakrishnan also said he would not comment on an issue that had not been discussed.

CPI says issue will be decided through talks

The CPI said the issue of the Opposition deputy leader’s post should be resolved through discussions with the CPM and that it had agreed that the matter should not become a point of dispute within the LDF.

The party said bilateral discussions with the CPM were under way. It had informed the CPM in writing that it would not be appropriate to convene an LDF meeting without resolving the dispute.

The CPI said there had been no change in its position on the issue.