League awaits Congress’ CM pick, Thangal to convey stand

Kozhikode: IUML leadership meeting at Panakkad on Wednesday authorized party supremo Panakkad Sadikali Shihab Thangal to take an appropriate decision once Congress high command announces its decision on who will be the next chief minister of Kerala. IUML national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty said that his party would convene another meeting after Congress high command communicates its decision, following which Thangal would address the media and formally announce the stance of IUML.Thangal had spoken to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday and conveyed the party's preference for opposition leader V D Satheesan as the new chief minister, stating that such a decision would reflect the prevailing public sentiment in the state. IUML leadership is hopeful that Congress high command has taken its opinion into consideration.When asked whether the leadership meeting discussed the selection of the party's cabinet ministers, Kunhalikutty said Thangal had been authorized to take decisions on all related matters. The party also decided to appoint a delegation led by Kunhalikutty to hold UDF-level discussions with Congress regarding cabinet formation and IUML's representation in the ministry.Meanwhile, senior IUML leader and MLA-elect T V Ibrahim had criticized the delay in Congress to finalize its CM candidate, saying that the ongoing procedures and internal discussions were contrary to the mandate given by the people. He said on Tuesday the prolonged uncertainty had diminished the impact of UDF's emphatic victory in assembly polls where it won 102 seats.Although the issue could technically be termed an internal matter of Congress, Ibrahim had said that current developments had been going against public expectations. He said on Tuesday the Congress must decide on its CM candidate as soon as possible and also respect the people's mandate.