THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, May 17: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi will address a rally here tomorrow in connection with the culmination of the Kerala Yatra, led by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala.
Senior Congress leaders including Defence Minister A K Antony and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy would also address the concluding session of the Yatra, which began from Hosangadi near Manjeswaram in Kasaragod on April 18, Chennithala told reporters here.
The yatra, aimed at improving the party’s prospects in the coming Lok Sabha elections, covered all 140 Assembly segments.
He rejected opposition CPI-M allegation that UDF government surrendered to the wishes of social and communal organisations.
“All organisations have the right to express their opinions. But, the core point was what the government accepts and implements,” he added.
Answering a question, Chennithala said UDF would perform well in the next Lok Sabha polls and had already started the preparations for it.
On the demand by MPs from Kerala that Antony should take more interest in the party affairs in the state, he said, “We welcome it. KPCC always welcomes the advice and instructions of Antony.”
Asked whether there would be a cabinet reshuffle, he said KPCC had not discussed the matter.
Terming as ‘success’ the one-month long yatra, Chennithala said he was able to have an on-the-spot study of the problems and issues faced by the people of Kerala.
On the performance of the two-year old Congress led UDF Government headed by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Chennithala said government’s performance was much better than expected in difficult times.
The UDF Government was able to perform better as it received full support from the Congress party, Chennithala said noting ‘both the party and the government worked together unitedly’.
He said drought situation in Waynad and Palakkad, drinking water shortage in many parts of the state due to drought situation, were some of the main problems aired by the people.
The government had taken whatever possible steps it could to address these problems, he pointed out.
Stating that a concesus among the political parties in the state was the need of the hour to take forward the development agend, he said congress would take initiative in holding talks with other political parties in the state to reach a concensus on development issues. (PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel