Day before meeting Sonia, Antony makes right noises

Patel told reporters that the action may come even before Assembly polls which are to be held in five states. He ruled out any chief ministerial change. According to him, Antony had the support of a majority of the MLAs in the 62-member Congress Legislature Party. No UDF constituent has demanded Antony’s removal, he said.

Sources said Antony had sought action because the ‘I’ group has been trying to embarrass him again by its encouragement to the resolution demanding removal of Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman. Even KPCC president K Muraleedharan has been saying the resolution should be discussed. Initiating action against a few MLAs will dissuade rebels, the Antony group felt.

Antony has been under pressure from his followers to take a tougher stand against the ‘I’ group, Congress sources said. UDF convenor Oommen Chandy and several ‘A’ group leaders were in frequent touch with Antony. So Antony has to make a demand satisfying his supporters, sources said.

Antony wanted disciplinary action to start with some hardcore ‘I’ group men, KPCC office-bearers and some MLAs, sources said. This will send a message that the high command can act tough, he felt. He didn’t want to move against Muraleedharan now as it will lead to a split and call for a direct revolt by ‘I’ group leader K. Karunakaran.

While Antony’s meeting with Sonia is to speed up the decision-making process at the AICC, there is likelihood of further discussions soon. Antony, who will return to Kerala on Tuesday, will be coming to Delhi again next week to attend the Congress election committee meetings.

The L.P. Shahi panel probing the Ernakulam bypoll defeat is likely to hear UDF convenor Oommen Chandy and other leaders in a few days. The high command does not consider the charges against Vakkom seriously, AICC circles said.