Thiruvananthapuram, May 12: The opposition LDF on Tuesday hit out at the Congress-led UDF over the delay in selecting Kerala’s new chief minister, alleging that the coalition was “failing” to honour the mandate given by the people.
Addressing a press conference here, senior CPI(M) leader and Left Democratic Front convenor T P Ramakrishnan said, “The Congress and the UDF should be prepared to respect the people’s verdict.”
The people of the state had voted in favour of the UDF to form a government. “The Congress and UDF have a moral responsibility to show justice towards them in turn,” he said after attending a LDF meeting here.
He alleged that even before the formation of the new government, administrative procedures that should normally be part of governance were already being carried out.
Claiming that government employees were being transferred based on lists prepared by organisational functionaries, Ramakrishnan said such steps, taken even before a government was formally constituted, were not in keeping with democratic practices.
He also accused the UDF of initiating “anti-people measures” and referred to reports of a hike in rice prices through Supplyco depots.
Ramakrishnan said the previous LDF government had not increased the prices of 13 essential commodities and that a later revision in prices had been carried out only following a cabinet decision.
“Now reports say that the price of rice distributed through Supplyco depots has been increased by Rs 2. Such a move is highly condemnable,” he said.
At the same time, he said the LDF would extend all support to the new government for developmental and welfare activities and would cooperate on all justified issues.
Ramakrishnan also questioned the urgency in deciding the Leader of Opposition when the chief minister was yet to be finalised.
“First, a government has to be formed. What is the problem if the Leader of Opposition is decided after the chief minister,” he asked.
He said governance was not merely about selecting a chief minister, but also about deciding on ministers and ensuring that the functioning of various departments moved forward.
“The delay is a wrong practice that needs to be criticised,” he added.
Referring to the LDF’s own plans to appoint the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Ramakrishnan said there would be no delay or controversy in the matter.
He said the CPI(M) Politburo had entrusted the party’s state unit with taking a final decision.
“There is no dispute regarding the selection of the Opposition leader. There is no chance of it getting prolonged or becoming a contentious issue. The CPI(M) will take a decision at the earliest,” he said.
Taking a swipe at the Congress, Ramakrishnan said criticism would have been justified had the chief minister been decided and the Opposition leader’s post remained unresolved.
“The LDF has no difficulty in deciding the Opposition leader,” he said.
On reports that the CPI, the second-largest constituent in the LDF, had staked claim to the Deputy Leader of Opposition post, Ramakrishnan said there was precedent for the CPI(M) holding both positions in the past.
He cited the example of late CPI(M) leaders V S Achuthanandan and Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who had served as Leader of Opposition and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, respectively in the Assembly.
Referring to CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam reportedly writing an open letter on the issue, Ramakrishnan said such matters should be discussed internally within the front.
“These are matters that should be discussed within the front, and I do not think raising them publicly is the right approach,” he said.
He also clarified that the LDF was yet to take a final decision on both the Leader of Opposition and Deputy Leader of Opposition posts in the new Assembly.
In the April 9 Assembly elections, the Congress-led UDF returned to power with a decisive mandate, defeating the ruling LDF after two consecutive terms in office. The LDF, led by the CPI(M), emerged as the principal opposition alliance in Kerala.
