Chennithala plays down talk of his becoming Dy CM

Saturday, April 7, 2012: KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala today played down media reports that he had been pitted by party high command to join the UDF ministry as Deputy Chief Minister as part of a formula to resolve the tangle arising out of Muslim League’’s demand for a fifth ministerial berth.
“There have been various formulae in the air. They are products of media speculation. The issue (arising out of the League’’s demand) would be solved soon, after the Easter”, Chennithala told reporters at Kasargod.
The second largest constituent of the Congress-led UDF, IUML has been pressing for one more cabinet berth for the party in addition to four ministerial positions it already has.
Congress, however, has reservation over conceding to the ally’s demand as it would upset the communal composition of the cabinet in which members from Christian and Muslim communities already outnumber the Hindus.
Also, the UDF is committed to induct KC-J’’s MLA Anoop Jacob who recently won the Piravom by-poll caused by the death of his father T M Jacob, which would further increase the strength of Christian members in the cabinet.
With the state unit of the Congress referring the matter to the high command, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Chennithala were in Delhi a couple of days back to discuss the issue and find a way out.
Speculation has been rife that a way-out suggested by the central leadership is to induct Chennithala in the ministry followed by a minor shuffle in the cabinet and the KPCC to maintain the “communal balance” while conceding to League’’s demand for a fifth ministerial berth.
The IUML also declined to react to the reports holding that these were mere speculation as the party had not received any formal proposal the Congress on the issue.
Meanwhile, Chandy said in Palakkad that a solution to the problem would be found soon, which would be acceptable to the entire UDF.