UDF shuts doors on PC George

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The UDF meet on Thursday decided not to accommodate P C George's party into the fold. Almost all UDF constituents were against George's re-entry to the front.
In the meeting, UDF chairman Ramesh Chennithala made it clear that George has not sought re-entry into the front, but has written that he would like to work with the Congress.
"Several parties have expressed willingness to join UDF.This include Rajan Babu faction of the JSS, the splinter group of M P Veerednra Kumar led JD(U), Kamraj Congress and the splinter group of the party led by C K Janu have submitted letters. The decision in this regard will be made by a committee headed by UDF convener Benny Behannan. The panel will hold discussions with the parties,'' said Chennithala after the UDF meeting.
Meanwhile, factional feud within the Kerala Congress (Mani) came out in the UDF meeting with the party staking claim for two seats in the Lok Sabha election. The party sought Kottayam and Idukki seats which has put the UDF leadership in tight spot.
The P J Joseph faction of the KC(M) wants the Idukki seat for its nominee. But when the KC(M) made this demand in the meeting, Johnny Nelloore of the Kerala Congress (Jacob) said his party has been with the UDF for all these years and, therefore, has every right to stake claim for the Idukki seat.
Following this, the Congress leadership decided to hold bilateral talks with all constituent parties to finalise the seat sharing process.