LDF meet skips key issues in state

Thiruvananthapuram: The LDF state committee which met here on Wednesday skipped the discussion on all controversial issues and concentrated on planning protest measures against Union government and initial preparations for the forthcoming bypoll in six assembly seats. Sources in the LDF said that the meeting was called off when agenda items were over as chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who chaired the meeting, indicated that the deliberations could be wound up.
There was no debate on the University College controversy, about the state police which are receiving brickbats daily and corruption allegations levelled against LSG department regarding misuse of fund for AMRUT project as none of the constituent parties raised the issues.
In the past, constituent party leaders, mostly CPI, used to raise current political issues at the meeting after the agenda items were over and demanded explanation from those leaders in government. But, the CPI representatives, including state secretary Kanam Rajendran, were silent on Wednesday’s meeting.
During the brief meeting, the LDF state committee decided to organise a Raj Bhavan march on August 6 to register protest against the policies of the Union government which are detrimental to the interests of the state. The convener listed out the examples of neglect by speaking about denial of AIIMS to the state and deduction of allocation for NREGS in the budget. On August 6, central government office marches will be organised by LDF in other districts.
When asked about the University College issue in which SFI is in the dock, LDF convener A Vijayaraghavan said the SFI leadership and chief minister have already clarified their stand.