KC-B criticise its nominee in UDF cabinet

Talking to reporters here after party state committee meeting, KC(B) chief and father of Kumar, R Balakrishna Pilla said the party was not satisfied with the style of functioning of the minister. He said the party would take up the issue at the UDF liaison committee meeting to be held here tomorrow. 'A decision on the matter would be taken at the next UDF meeting", he said.

Kumar was made the minister by KC(B) and it did not want a minister who betrayed the party, Pilla said. However, he said if Kumar was ready to amend his ways and follow the party line, party would not have any uneasiness in Kumar continuing as minister in the UDF ministry. 'We do not want to remove anybody from the party or from the ministry.

But, it is very difficult to face the insult and humuliation anymore', he added. Coming out strongly against his son, Pilla said in a coaliation politics,the Front would have to agree to the demands of its partners. Kumar, representing Pathanapuram assembly segemnt in Kollam district, is the lone MLA of KC(B) in the assembly. As in the case of UPA-11, which removed the Union Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi when TMC wanted, the UDF would have to change the Minister, if such a demand was made by a partner, Pilla pointed out.

Kumar was on loggerhead with the party leadership for a long period following differences on various issues such as appointment of members to boards and Corporations under the Ministry. Kumar never consulted with the party when appointments were made to Boards and corporation, Pilla said adding 'not even a single party worker is recruited as personnel staff of the minister'.

Kumar had recently at a public meeting at his constituency had stated that he won the assembly segement with his own popularity and strength and not because of party power.