DIC-K rode back on riders: Chandy
Kerala Chief Minister is pulling out all the stops to defy the strong anti-incumbency wave.
The "Man in hurry" has reduced much of his speed after a fall in Davos. But Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is pulling out all the stops to defy the strong anti-incumbency wave. Routine ruptures aren't strong enough to deny a second innings, he believes.
Talking to the Hindustan Times he sheds light on the recent poll agreement with senior leader K Karunakaran and other issues.
There are reports that you are unhappy with the return of senior leader K Karunakaran?
Initially I had serious reservations about it. I have made known my stand very clear. But in coalition politics you have to go by collective decision. All our partners were in favour of his return to the UDF fold. We have no other option but to agree to coalition compulsions. But after several rounds of discussions we clinched a deal that contained some conditions.
But Karunakaran is saying merger plan was not there in the agreement?
It was one of the main conditions. It is written black and white. I don't know why he is saying so. But one thing I will tell you we will never allow the party or coalition to go back to the bad old days of infighting.
Rebels are out to spoil your chances?
True we are facing some problems. In both Karunakaran's DIC-K and Congress some of the leaders are yet to come to terms with the last-minute poll arrangement. We will convince them. Besides, some leaders are bent on fielding dummy candidates to ask for more. We have taken a serious note of it.
Your slogan for the next month's assembly elections?
"Development with care" is our election mantra. Now you can see the left, which toppled most of our developmental programmes, is parroting the same lines. I have put the state on road to progress. Now nobody can reverse it. I used to tell my Left friends at least you should allow me to do things what Buddha is doing in Bengal. They allowed the Salim Group in West Bengal but blocked the Smart City project on flimsy grounds.
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