Post-poll acrimony: Sudheeran asks UDF leaders to exercise restraint

Thiruvananthapuram: Resenting controversial post-poll comments by some UDF leaders, Kerala PCC president VM Sudheeran on Saturday urged the coalition partners to exercise restraint.

He was apparently referring to a comment made by Government Chief Whip PC George of Kerala Congress(M) that his services were not sought by Congress during the campaign im Pathanamhitta constituency and its reflection would be known when votes were counted.

Also, sitting Congress MP from Idukki PT Thomas, who was dropped this time, alleged that certain groups opposed to the Western Ghats conservation had worked to see him removed from the poll fray.

Taking note of such rumblings, Sudheeran said indulging in a slanging match after the elections would only dent the image of the coalition, which had worked with utmost unity during the campaign.

Without naming any particular leader, he said, "Making acrimonious comments will cause pain to thousands of UDF workers who had worked hard for the victory of their candidates in the length and breadth of the state."

If the campaign had flaws in any part of the state, they could be raised and debated in the KPCC executive meeting scheduled for April 22 and the UDF liaison committee meeting on April 23, he said.

He particularly urged Congress leaders and workers to refrain from making open comments.