Kochi: Union Civil Aviation minister Vayalar Ravi on Friday said Opposition leader in the state assembly Oommen Chandy will head the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in the April 13 polls to the state assembly.
"KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala said Chandy would be leading from the front and I fully support this view," Ravi told reporters at a meet-the-press programme 'Nilapad 2011' organised by the Ernakulam Press club.
With both Chandy and Chennithala contesting the polls, there was no confusion, Ravi said. "The UDF would get thumping majority as the LDF rule was a complete failure on all fronts and the Marxist party was busy sorting out its own differences," he said.
Admitting that he had earlier harboured some interest in contesting the polls, but was not so keen now as important responsibility has been bestowed on him now, he said, "Oommen Chandy will lead and all the front partners would support him," he said.
On differences cropping over seat sharing by UDF partners, he said it was only natural, adding the problems would be sorted out soon.
Asked about the Marxist party's dilemma on whether or not give the nod to Achutanandan to contest the polls, Ravi said he would certainly contest. "This was only a drama being enacted by the marxist party," he said.
Asked about one of his daughters jumping into the electoral bandwagon, Ravi said, "I can't say if she will contest as party will have to decide about her candidature." He said his family had sentimental attachment to the Kottayam seat which was represented by his late wife Mercy Ravi. There could be differences of opinion on children contesting the polls, he said adding, "Ours is a political family."
On whether K Muralidharan's re-admission to the Congress would help the UDF in the polls, Ravi replied in the affirmative. Murali was KPCC president and being the son of K Karunakaran, he also has a political legacy, he said.
On whether the issue of appointment of P G Thomas as Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) will deal a blow to UDF in the polls, Ravi said, "We never made him the Chief Secretarty. Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan had made him the
state chief secretary. The LDF government must explain how Thomas was appointed to that post."
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