'LDF trying to wean away partners from ruling UDF'

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress led ruling UDF Thursday accused CPI-M led LDF opposition of trying to wean away some of its smaller partners and topple the government before the Rajya Sabha polls scheduled on April 20.

"LDF leaders approached some smaller UDF partners with an aim to topple the government, but their efforts failed," UDF convener P P Thankachan said.

He was speaking to reporters after a liaison committee meeting amid serious internal turbulence in Kerala Congress (M), a key coalition partner.

Thankachan alleged that the LDF, with a plan to break UDF, had put up two candidates for the RS polls, though as per the strength in the assembly they could win only one seat.

Stating that UDF was united, he said LDF effort in this regard was not going to succeed.

UDF meet rejected a letter with charges of corruption against KC(M) supremo and Finance Minister K M Mani, given to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy by KC(M) dissident leader P C George, who was removed from the post of government chief whip as per the request of KC-M.

The meet also dismissed the purported letter of solar scam accused Saritha S Nair, in which names of three ministers and some MLAs and MPs were allegedly mentioned.

Some leaders opined that recent political developments had affected the image of UDF. Some even said that political situation was not in favour of Front and UDF's performance in the civic polls later this year would be very pitiful if nothing was done to regain its 'lost glory.'

Chandy and KPCC President V M Sudheeran told the meeting that issues of KC-M was that party's internal problem and had not affected the image of UDF.

Later,the meeting worked out an Action plan of programmes to be taken up immediately by government in the coming year.

It asked the Centre to take steps to help rubber growers facing crisis due to fall in prices of natural rubber and requested the CM to take up the issue with the Centre.

The issue of delay in payment of welfare pension was taken up and the FM assured the meet that all arrears would be cleared soon.

The meet asked government to bring in a 'River and Wet Land Authority' bill to protect and preserve rivers and wet-lands in the state as the present one has not equipped government with sufficient powers.