Rift widens in Cong over fifth cabinet berth to IUML

Sunday, April 15, 2012: Senior Congress leader PT Thomas, MP alleged that a conspiracy was being hatched against Chief Minister Oommen Chandy over reshuffle of portfolios and allocation of an additional ministerial berth to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) last week.
Talking to newspersons Thomas, representing Idukki in the Lok Sabha, said a conspiracy was being hatched in the Congress against Chandy seeking his ouster. Stating that Chandy cannot be pulled down by whimsical manner, he called upon the Congress High Command to take immediate steps to identify the elements, who were behind the act. He said ‘the state assembly would be dissolved if Chandy went to the Raj Bhavan with a piece of paper.’
The Indian Union Muslim League, the second biggest partner in the coalition government, was a divided house over the minister issue, he said. Meanwhile, senior leader and Electricity Minister Arayadan Mohammed claimed the Congress would be able to win the forthcoming Rajya Seat on its own. Apparently hinting that the party would not need backing of the IUML for the purpose, he said the Congress with 38 seats in the Assembly would be able to win the seat comfortably.