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Kerala Forest Minister A. K. Saseendran (file)
| Photo Credit: H. VIBHU
Senior NCP leader in Kerala and State Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran on Wednesday (December 18, 2024) rejected media reports about the change in the party’s lone ministership in the Left government and made it clear that there is no obstacle for party MLA Thomas K. Thomas to be part of the Kerala Cabinet instead of him.
The Sharad Pawar-led NCP is an ally in the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the Kerala. It has two MLAS – A.K. Saseendran and Thomas K. Thomas.
Mr. Saseendran told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that he had already made his stand clear in this regard and informed the party’s State and Central leadership about his mind when a discussion came in this regard two months ago.
The Minister’s reaction came amidst speculations about the recent meeting of Mr. Thomas, who represents the Kuttanad constituency in the State assembly, with NCP national president Sharad Pawar in New Delhi.
“At present, no discussion is happening in the NCP about the change in the ministership. As a parliamentary party leader of the State NCP, Mr. Thomas has all right to meet the national president and hold discussions with him,” Mr. Saseendran said.
His action was not at all a violation of party discipline or any anti-party move, the Minister further said.
However, Mr. Saseendran said he did not know the details of the personal conversation between Mr. Pawar and Mr. Thomas.
“I am not against Mr. Thomas becoming minister. I am not at all a blockade of that. But, I am particular about one thing, that the party should have a representation in the State government,” he added.
Thomas denies talks on Saseendran
While talking to reporters, Mr. Thomas also denied media reports that he had met Mr. Pawar to discuss the removal of Mr. Saseendran from the State Cabinet.
“I went to Delhi and met Mr. Pawar after the recent State committee meeting as directed by him. No such discussions were held. I just met him and came back,” he said.
It is the national leadership of the party which should take a final decision about the change in NCP’s ministership in the State Cabinet, he added.
Published – December 18, 2024 02:15 pm IST
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