New Delhi: Amid growing discontent among a section of Congress workers over selection of candidates for the April 6 Assembly polls, senior leader A K Antony on Wednesday urged them to end their differences and work together to ensure a change of government in the state.
He said the high command never makes "unnecessary intervention" in selection of candidates for assembly polls, but admitted that adequate representation was not given for women in the list.
Claiming that Kerala will see a UDF government coming to power after ending the five year Pinarayi Vijayan headed government rule, Antony urged "all those who believe in democracy" to work together to achieve that goal.
"There are some leaders who have complaints over selection of candidates. I request them to obey the high command's decision and work for the victory of UDF candidates in the election", Antony told reporters in New Delhi.
Referring to the rebel menace in his party, Antony said: “Disputes over candidates are common in the Congress and they are something unheard of in the CPM. But, the situation is different this time; there is more rebellion in the CPM and BJP than the Congress.”
However, the senior leader admitted that some lapses had occurred in the selection of party candidates regarding women’s representation. “Elaborate discussions had taken place before the candidates list was finalized. But even though there are some drawbacks over the number of women on the list, the situation in the Congress is better, compared to other parties,” he said.
On his party’s chances in Nemom, which is held by the BJP, Antony said that the people of the constituency would ensure a big win for the Congress candidate K Muraleedharan.
Antony also said that he was not all surprised over the reports of a ‘deal’ between the CPM and BJP in the polls. On the party’s choice for chief minister, he said that no discussions had taken place so far.
On senior party leader K Sudhakaran's charge over selection of candidates in some constituencies in Kannur district,he said the former had informed him he was doing his best to increase the number of seats of the party there.
Sudhakaran on Tuesday had attacked AICC general secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal and veterans Ramesh Chennithala and Oommen Chandy, alleging that they were responsible for all troubles in the state Congress due to selection of candidates.
To a query on revolt by Mahila Congress leader Lathika Subhash over denial of ticket from Ettumanoor seat, Antony admitted that women were not given adequate representation.
But other parties, including CPM and BJP had also not allocated enough seats for women, he pointed out.
Meanwhile, the high command has issued a gag order to Congress leaders and workers against making 'anti-party' statements on the candidates list and the assembly elections.
Referring to the directive, Venugopal said he would not like to make any statements, but lauded the list, saying the party has named candidates who have great chances of winning the maximum number of seats in the election.