Kozhikode: The Janata Dal (Secular), one of the constituents of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), has handed over to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan a letter from its national president H D Deve Gowda on the party's decision to replace its cabinet nominee Mathew T Thomas with Chittur legislator K. Krishnankutty.
Krishnankutty and JD(S) parliamentary party leader C K Nanu called on Pinarayi at the Kozhikode Guest House on Saturday morning and handed over the letter. Nanu said the LDF will also be given a letter soon.
After his meeting with Pinarayi, Krishnankutty claimed he is joining the Pinarayi cabinet with majority support. “Majority is most important in democracy,” he said. “Two of the three MLAs in the party are with me. There are no disputes within the party.”
“Loss of a minister's job is saddening for anyone, but it will pass off,” he said in an obvious reference to Thomas.
Nanu said Krishnankutty has always deserved the minister's post. “Krishnankutty had been the party's MLA for the longest period. His name was hence recommended earlier. However, the national leadership then preferred Mathew T Thomas. The new decision is also theirs.”
Nanu asserted there are no groups favouring either Krishnankutty or Thomas within the party. “Mathew T Thomas will approve of Krishnankutty's elevation,” he said.
“I don't think Mathew T. Thomas would accuse anyone in the party of having cooked up a false case,” Nanu said. “Neither the party nor its workers are responsible for a case against him and his family. The party stands with him on the case. The party is united.”
Krishnankutty was once accused in a firing case. The party then stood with him firmly.
“We've conveyed to the chief minister the party's decision to replace the minister. Pinarayi said other things will be discussed and decided,” Nanu said. “Mathew T Thomas will resign on Monday. It's delayed because the chief minister will be out of the capital on Sunday and Monday. Mathew T Thomas has confirmed he will accept the party's decision.”
However, the statement of Thomas that developments related to the change of minister were detrimental to the interests of the LDF will intensify infighting in the JD(S).
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