VS, Paloli differ on NDF

Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan on Wednesday said the activities of the National Development Front NDF were suspicious, while his Cabinet colleague, and member of the rival CPIM faction, Paloli Muhammedkutty said the Government has no plan to ban any organisation, including the NDF.

During the post-Cabinet briefing, the CM said the NDF, like Hindu outfits RSS and Bajrang Dal, has to be suspected. However, Local Administration Minister Paloli, who holds the temporary charge of the Home Ministry, said banning an organisation was not an effective strategy. Instead, people should be made aware of the designs of such organisations and prevented from joining such parties.

The divergent views in the Indian Union Muslim League over banning the NDF also came to the fore on Wednesday. Its state general secretary P K Kunhalikutty said he would not say no to NDF votes. Such a stand would help the CPIM bag the NDF votes. Hence, the demand was puerile. At the same time, party state secretary Dr M K Muneer said IUML did not want the votes from 8220;extremist organisations including NDF8221;. All parties should have the probity to say no to NDF votes.