THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Solution to the IUML-induced imbroglio in the UDF has brought KPCC chief Ramesh Chennithala to the centre stage, with the Congress high command insisting that he should take up an important responsibility in the government.He has been tipped for the post of Deputy Chief Minister, with charge of important portfolios such as Home or Revenue. ‘’It is true that there is pressure from the high command. But various factors have to be taken into account. I haven’t made up my mind,’’ Ramesh Chennithala told ‘Express.’ Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is also very keen to bring Ramesh Chennithala into the Cabinet, reportedly to outwit the criticism of domination of kunjoonju-kunhalikutty-kunjumani’ axis in governance.Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty and Finance Minister K M Mani are viewed to be holding immense clout in the UDF dispensation, especially the former, much to the chagrin of many in the Cabinet. The high command was keen to see Ramesh joined the government at the time of formation of the Oommen Chandy Government itself. Ramesh had staked claim then with the support of MLAs aligned as the ‘Broad I group’ to the Chief Ministership in the second half of the five-year term of the UDF. He was offered the Home portfolio then, but the plans didn’t materialse for various reasons. ‘’I pleaded to exempt me as I don’t want to give out an impression that I am after power,’’ Ramesh said. The high command is reportedly keen to ensure that communal balance in the Cabinet was maintained and acceding to any demand of the IUML should be matched by including somebody from the majority community also. The fact that Anoop Jacob is also joining the Cabinet soon has also necessitated such a move. ‘’The high command does not want to upset the balance. Various proposals are being looked into,’’ Ramesh said. The high command has reportedly mooted holding of direct talks with the IUML leadership to solve the crisis. Meanwhile, Speaker G Karthikeyan’s name is sounded for the post of the KPCC president.While Karthikeyan is reluctant to become a minister, he is not averse to becoming the KPCC president. In fact, Karthikeyan is one among the few senior leaders who could not make it to the KPCC chief’s post, though he had held the posts of state president of the KSU and Youth Congress. Ramesh had succeeded him in the student and youth organisations but had been lucky enough to climb the party structure with ease. Co-operation Minister C N Balakrishnan’s name is also proposed as an alternative choice to the KPCC chief’s post, after a likely minor Cabinet reshuffle soon.With the high command also realising that the IUML demand could not be turned down being the second largest partner, in spite of virulent criticism against it in the recently-held KPCC meet, a solution with least political damage is being attempted now. And in the process, the role of Ramesh is becoming prominent. That he has the full backing of the Nair Service Society is also a crucial factor.
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