M A I N   N E W S

Bickerings in Cong over Kerala’s CM

Thiruvananthapuram, May 14
Despite the two-thirds mandate secured by the United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala, the process of ministry-formation is unlikely to be a smooth affair considering the intense factionalism in the state unit of the Congress.

As there has been a consensus among all factions on leaving the choice of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader to the AICC President, central observers Motilal Vora and Ghulam Nabi Azad are here to prod the minds of the 62 newly elected MLAs and report it to the Congress chief.

Going by the four-way division in the state unit of the party, apportioning of Cabinet berths can be marred by pulls and pressures and claims and counter-claims. Besides the two main factions led by A.K. Antony and K. Karunakaran — known as “A” and “I” groups, respectively — there are two other minor groups in the state party led by G. Karthikeyan and Vayalar Ravi.

According to Congress sources, Mr Antony enjoys a clear edge in the CLP as in addition to his own camp followers numbering 29 against Karunakaran’s 26, the third and fourth factions have made no secret of their preference of Antony as Chief Minister.

Mr Karunakaran, who still nurses grievance against his detractors for cutting short his last stint as Chief Minister in the 1990s, has openly said he would not be averse to return to the “top slot” if the high command so desired.

Congress-watchers here discount the chances of Mr Karunakaran triggering a fresh crisis by assuming an adamant posture on the leadership issue but he is unlikely to yield on getting a few plum portfolios for his loyal camp-followers. He may also link the question of the CLP leadership with selection of a new president for the KPCC, a post he has for long been eyeing for his son K. Muraleedharan, MP.

In addition to internal equations in the Congress, selection of ministers would also have to take into account regional, caste and communal factors. This is certain to cause heart-burns to several of the newly elected MLAs, including quite a few old-timers who have been carried back to the assembly by the powerful pro-UDF wave. PTI

Mahanta quits as Congress romps home

Guwahati, May 14
The Congress today romped home with an absolute majority in Assam while Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta tendered his resignation with his party Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) suffering a humiliating defeat.

The Congress has so far won 71 seats while the AGP was routed winning only 19 seats while its ally the BJP could manage only seven.

The Congress, which contested all the seats on its own, has made a triumphant comeback and is all set to assume the reins of government under the leadership of Assam Pradesh Congress President Tarun Gogoi.

Chief Minister Mahanta today tendered his resignation to the Governor, Lieut-Gen S. K. Sinha (retd) who asked him to continue till the formation of the new government.

The elections witnessed the downfall of several Cabinet colleagues of Mr Mahanta, including Speaker Ganesh Kutum and Deputy Speaker. PTI