IUML to remain in UDF: Kunhalikutty

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JULY 25. The IUML legislature Party leader, Mr. P. K. Kunhalikutty, today sought to pull the curtain down on the speculation that his party might team up with the CPI(M) in regional alliances for the upcoming panchayat elections, by unambiguously stating that his party would remain in the UDF.

Addressing a meet-the-press programme, the second in a series on `Changing Political Scenario' organised by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club here, Mr. Kunhalikutty wanted an end to the debate on the issue especially in the light of the clear cut positions pronounced by his party leader, Mr. Panakkad Sayed Mohammed Ali Sihab Thangal. "There is no political situation prevalent in Kerala which warranted such a move. We do not believe in having an alliance at the national level, one at the State level and another at the regional level," he said.

Mr. Kunhalikutty sought to differentiate between national and State politics, but found the Congress(I) to be a common strain at both levels. "At the national level, the Congress(I) alone was equipped to fight the BJP. No secular alignment could be thought of without the Congress(I). At the State-level, the Congress(I) was leading a major political formation, while the party which ruled the Centre did not have any roots," he said.

In reply to a question, Mr Kunhalikutty said the CPI(M) had the freedom to adopt any tactical line it wanted. But as far as his party was concerned, the senior leaders had made their positions very clear. "We are proud to state that ours is the only party which is not overwhelmed by factionalism. There was no question of divergent perceptions prevailing in the party. The decision to stick to the UDF was taken after much discussion and pronounced unambiguously by Mr Thangal," he added.

Asked about the CPI(M) charge that the BJP and the Congress(I) were moving towards an alliance, Mr Kunhalikutty said his party did not have such a perception. He refused to comment on speculative reports, but made it clear that his party was not prepared to bear the burden of a BJP alliance. The IUML leader also refused to comment on the factionalism in the Congress(I), terming it as its internal affair. He did not wish to air any views publicly and would express it at the appropriate forum.

He said the IUML had actively cooperated with the People's Plan Campaign because it had a decisive say in many panchayats in Malappuram, Kasaragod and Wayanad, and wanted to prevent its politicisation. "Just because the IUML agreed with the fundamentals of the People's Plan Campaign need not necessarily be transformed into a political alliance. Most of the UDF partners welcomed the basic aim of the campaign and had even cooperated, but all of us were opposed to its politicisation.

He said that the decentralisation process cannot be undone. The UDF would continue the People's Campaign if it comes to power. In fact, no political dispensation could go back on this issue. The panchayats had been given enormous powers, which were irreversible. In reply to a question, Mr Kunhalikutty identified politicisation as one of the major flaws of the People's Plan Campaign. He said the appearance of intermediaries in the implementation of the Plan and the unrealistic project proposals made the Plan Campaign an imperfect one.

He expressed concern at the stagnation that the industrial sector was facing. The State was lagging behind in the industrial sector when compared to the neighbouring States which were surging ahead in sectors like information technology. One of the main reasons why Kerala fell behind was the lack of Government initiative, the former Industries Minister said.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Raghavendra Swamy not to accept 'removal'
Next     : Dt. Panchayat refuses to fund traffic study