Chandy defends Minister; virtually censures KPCC chief

Indicating widening of the rift between him and KPCC President V M Sudheeran, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today backed Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash over the issue of accepting basic tax for 833 acres of land from a private estate owner.
A day after Sudheeran criticised the functioning of Prakash, Chandy said the state Congress chief should have brought to his notice if he had any difference of opinion with the minister.
The Chief Minister defended his cabinet colleague and said the minister had not committed any mistake with regard to the order for accepting basic tax for 833 acres of land from Karuna Private Estate at Nelliyampathy in Palakkad.

"I have full faith in all my cabinet colleagues," he told reporters in Kozhikode, adding Prakashhad acted as per the recommendations of the law and revenue departments.
Chandy also said it was not a major issue and "if there is something, it will resolved'.
Sudheeran had demanded withdrawal of the controversial order for accepting basic tax after the government decided virtually to keep the order in abeyance with certain amendments in the original order issued on March 1.
There were charges that the land in question was public land and Sudheeran's remarks are seen as a pointer to the differences between him and Chandy over the issue ahead of coming assembly elections.

There were also reports that a section of Congress leaders in the state would take up the stand of Sudheeran with the party high command.