Chandy non-committal on induction of Chennithala into cabinet

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid reports of talks at various levels to sort out rumblings in Congress over inducting KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala into the UDF Ministry, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today remained non-committal on the matter.

Chandy maintained that the offer of the post of Deputy Chief Minister to Chennithala and other related reports on the issue were media's creation.

"It is all a creation of the media and if anything concrete happens, I will inform you", he told reporters during a cabinet briefing.

On his recent meeting with AICC chief Sonia Gandhi in Delhi, Chandy said he had explained the current political situation in the state to the party high command.

The Chief Minister declined to elaborate on whether a cabinet reshuffle or induction of Chennithala into the cabinet was discussed with the AICC chief.

Ruling UDF convener and Congress leader P P Thankachan held a meeting with Chennithala and Chandy.

Though Chandy has given an open invitation to Chennithalato join the ministry any time he wishes, the latter has saidhe would not do so and would continue to be the party chief.

The issue of Chennithala's induction into the ministry gained momentum after completion of his recent 'Kerala Yatra'.

This issue has been troubling the Congress in Kerala, with rival groups associated with Chandy and Chennithala indulgingin wrangling over the portfolio and the rank of DCM.