LDF team to study self-financing colleges in Bengal

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, FEB. 16. The crisis in the ruling LDF arising from the Kerala Congress (Joseph) threat to walk over to the UDF if the Front does not accept its demand for sanctioning of self- financing professional colleges in the private sector has subsided somewhat with the LDF leadership deciding to take a team to Bengal to study the self-financing college system there.

The decision has been taken on a suggestion from the Education Minister, Mr. P. J. Joseph, himself and the date of the team's visit and other details would be worked out by the LDF State committee meeting here on February 23. Consequent on the LDF leadership's acceptance of the proposal, the KC(J) appears to have decided to lower its flag of rebellion for the time being.

The KC(J) working committee meeting, held here late Thursday evening, had authorised Mr. Joseph to take appropriate decisions on both sanctioning of private professional colleges and unification of the KC(J) and the KC(M). Mr. Joseph, had earlier in the day, held discussions with the Chief Minister, Mr. E. K. Nayanar, and the LDF convener, Mr. V. S. Achuthanandan, raising hopes of a possible solution to the stand-off between the two sides on the college issue.

It is not immediately clear how soon the LDF team would be able to leave for Bengal. The Front has only very little time at its disposal of the LDF Government to take a decision in the matter. It is also not clear whether Mr. Joseph's desire to unite the two Kerala Congress groups is connected with the college issue alone. If one is to go by what party insiders have to say, there is more to it than meets the eye.

The KC(J) and Mr. Joseph have publicly identified the college issue as the main subject of discord within the Front. Now that the Front leadership has bought peace with him on the subject, it may not be easy for him or his party to come up with a convincing reason for snapping ties with the LDF till some further decision is taken on the contentious issue. But there are some in the KC(J) who still insist that the last has not been said on the subject.

Mr. Joseph has, in fact, taken observers by surprise with his sudden expression of desire to merge his party with the KC(M). There has also been considerable confusion as to why he has chosen to take such a stand which could, if things do not work out as he has planned, prove politically very costly for him. According to KC(J) sources, although the rest of the UDF has not shown too great an enthusiasm in welcoming them into their fold, the KC(M) leader, Mr. K. M. Mani, is reported to be still inclined to take Mr. Joseph for his word. Mr. Joseph, it seems, would take a little while more to make up his mind.

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