Chandy and Chennithala are absent from UDF meeting

Thiruvananthapuram : Monday 29 November 2009 - The differences of opinion between the old guard and the partys high command-backed new leadership grew when veteran Oommen Chandy, Ramesh Chennithala, stayed away at the United Democratic Front meeting.

They cast their votes at the Kerala Assembly complex, where the Rajya Sabha election was taking place.As it was convenient for everyone to gather, the meeting was held on the day of polling.

However, the two didnt attend the UDF meeting.V.D., the new Leader of Opposition, is the chairman of the UDF.The partys high command handpicked Satheesan as well as K.Sudhakaran as the chairman of the UDF.Since the Congress-led UDF suffered one its worst electoral reverses in recent years, they have been the frontline leaders of UDF.This has allowed Pinarayi Vijayan the opportunity to remain in power.The partys high command made changes after the election loss.

Despite Chennithala receiving the majority support to be again the Leader of Opposition in the election, Satheesan and Sudhakaran were brought in.These two veterans, who fought bitterly for nearly two decades against rival factions, are now working hand in glove with their enemy Sudhakaran and Satheesan.Despite repeated pleas from veterans to the party high commander to rein in their new guard when it came time to select new 14 district presidents as well as the reconstitution of the committees, they were furious and Mondays boycott of the UDF meeting seemed to be their way to retaliate.

Chandy and Chennithala had arrived in Delhi early this month to voice their dissatisfaction at the partys handling of things under Sudhakaran and Satheesan.According to a source close to veterans and insiders, they are unhappy that the Congress partys political affairs committee has not met under the new leadership.

Their pleas to the party high commander appeared to have been ignored and so they decided to protest the UDF meeting by not participating.The two have remained mum about their reasons for abstaining from the media.

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