Antony-Thangal talks a political gimmick: INL

KOZHIKODE: Describing as a "political gimmick" the talks between Muslim League leader Panakkad Syed Mohammedali Shihab Thangal and Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony, Indian National League on Wednesday questioned the validity of the "secret" talks between the two leaders as Thangal did not represent the entire minority community in the state.
"Thangal is not the sole spiritual leader of the entire Muslim community in the state and therefore the closed door talks held by him with Antony to sort out the differences in the wake of latter''s anti-minority remarks are not acceptable to the community as a whole", S A Puthiyavalappil and P M A Salam, INL state president and secretary respectively, told reporters here.
They said the discussions were only aimed at smoothening the strained relations between the two parties and that Antony had done nothing to correct his earlier statement that the minorities were using bargaining powers to enjoy more benefits.
"The Government has also not taken any decision so far to implement the recommendations of the Narendran Commission calling for job reservations for minorities", they said, adding the INL would stage a secretariat march on January 27 demanding immediate implementation of the report.
Accusing the Muslim League, the second largest partner in the Congress-led UDF, of indulging in `rampant corruption'' in several departments, they said the concerned ministers should either quit or be removed from office before ordering a detailed probe into the allegations.