'UDF Or LDF convenor?': Congress rift deepens as Rajmohan Unnithan takes dig at Adoor Prakash

Thiruvananthapuram: The internal differences within the ruling Congress came to the fore again on Friday, with senior leader and Kasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan launching a scathing attack on UDF convenor and party leader Adoor Prakash over his criticism of the front's functioning and Chief Minister V D Satheesan.

Reacting to Prakash's remarks questioning the delay in convening a United Democratic Front (UDF) meeting, Unnithan alleged, "People are asking whether he is the UDF convenor or the LDF convenor, because he is doing the job of the LDF convenor. Attacking the UDF and its government is the responsibility of the LDF convenor."

He alleged that the opposition did not have enough ammunition to attack the UDF and its government and that some ruling front leaders were supplying it with weapons.

"Our leaders are providing medicine to revive an otherwise inactive opposition," he told a television channel.

Unnithan said everyone had the right to criticise, but those making allegations should also introspect whether they were qualified to do so.

He further claimed that the Congress high command had apparently found no merit in Prakash's complaint, which was why no action had been taken even a month after it was raised.

He also indirectly criticised state Congress president and minister Sunny Joseph, saying those holding responsible positions should be mindful of the dignity of their offices while making public statements.

Several deserving people had been overlooked while giving ministerial positions to some leaders, he said, adding that ministers should rise to the expectations of the positions they held.

His veiled attacks against Joseph came amidst his reported differences with CM Satheesan over power purchase.

Unnithan also warned that people would respond if anyone attempted to undermine the present government.

The latest exchange comes amid continuing differences among various leaders of the Congress-led ruling front over the functioning of the government and the alleged lack of coordination among ministers.

On Tuesday, Prakash, also a Lok Sabha MP, had taken a veiled dig at Satheesan, saying questions about why a UDF meeting has not been convened should be directed to the front's chairman, a post held by the chief minister.

About a month ago, Prakash had publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the functioning of the ruling front and Satheesan, alleging that he was being kept out of several important decisions and was forced to learn about them through the media.

Describing it as "serious neglect" of the UDF convenor, he had said he would formally convey his strong displeasure to the AICC.

"A convenor of a front, holding a responsible position, having to learn about important government policies and decisions through news reports in newspapers and television channels amounts to serious neglect," he had said.

"What is emerging now is proof of collective responsibility in the Cabinet," Prakash had said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Mathrubhumi and is published from a syndicated feed.)