Sonia to hold crucial political talks with UDF constituents in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s visit to Kerala on December 30 will be politically significant in more ways than one.

The Congress president will be holding discussions separately with leaders of UDF constituents in Kottayam on Wednesday afternoon. These talks assume importance in view of forthcoming Assembly elections and muted consultations in Kerala Congress (M) about quitting the UDF. The Janata Dal (United) is already having an invitation from LDF. Seat sharing talks, which are expected to begin next month, will be crucial for the UDF. The Kerala Congress (M) is sure to make demands for a higher number of seats this time.

UDF convenor P. P. Thankachan has stated that leadership change was not in the agenda as Congress begins preparations for the poll campaign. However, the talks with Ms. Gandhi will be an occasion for UDF leaders to convey their opinions on the issue to the Congress president.

Ms. Gandhi is arriving in Kerala for inauguration of the Sivagiri Pilgrimage at Varkala and Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology at Pambadi. The function at Sivagiri is in the morning and that at Pambadi in the afternoon. The talks with UDF leaders will be between noon and 2.30 pm in the afternoon at Kottayam.

Congressmen are expecting a warmer welcome to Ms. Gandhi at Sivagiri than the reception to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Sivagiri recently. Such a development is significant in view of the challenge posed by SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan and his newly formed party Bharath Dharma Jena Sena. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who did not attend the function of the Prime Minister at Sivagiri following withdrawal to invitation to Mr. Modi’s function in Kollam, will also be attending the inauguration of the pilgrimage. Mr. Natesan has not been invited to the inaugural function.