UDF rallies in central zone rescheduled to May 27

Thiruvananthapuram: Bowing to demands from Kerala Congress (M), a key partner in the front, Congress-led UDF Tuesday decided to change the date of the proposed Central zone political campaign rally of the coalition to May 27.

Zonal rallies were scheduled to be held between May 19 and 25 but with KC-M insisting on a change in date of Central Zone rally, UDF decided to accept their demand.

The Central Zone rally is planned to be led by KC-M.

There will be no change in dates of other zonal rallies.

Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta come under Central zone, considered to be the strongholds of KC-M.

With KC-M leader and state Finance Minister, K Mani, seeking post-ponement due to personal reasons, the Front resolved to change the same, United Democratic Front (UDF) convener P P Thankachan said.

"There was no change in the dates of other rallies and they will be held as per schedule," he added. "There is nothing unusual in postponing a rally at the request of a key partner," he added.

"It is natural that KC-M workers participate in other zonal rallies," he said when asked whether KC-M would take part in rallies.

Holding of rallies had triggered a political row in the coalition front with KC-M seeking post-ponement of the meetings.

There is a vigilance probe going on against Mani in the bar bribe scam.

The rallies were planned to highlight the achievements of the four-year-old Congress-led-UDF government and also to counter the attack against the government by CPI-M-led LDF Opposition over the bar bribery and solar scams.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had held a meeting with Mani the other day and discussed the matter.

Meanwhile, Kerala PCC president, V M Sudheeran, said that all matters related to rally have been settled.