Cong, IUML MLAs too give up US trip

After MLAs of Left parties, Congress and Indian Union Muslim League legislators in Kerala have also cancelled their trip to the US to take part in the 'International Visitor Leadership Programme', in protest against the American stand on Israel's assault on Gaza.
CPI(M) and CPI had earlier restrained their MLAs who have been selected for the trip.
"We have decided to give up the trip as it is very distressing for us to visit America at a time when unpleasant things are happening in Gaza," N Shamsuddin, IUML MLA from Mannarghat, told PTI.
His party colleague K M Shaji, who also has received the invitation, would not be going and the decision had been approved by the party leadership.

Congress MLA P C Vishnunath said he and four other party MLAs who had received the invitation had given up the trip in view of the Gaza situation.
CPI(M)'s TV Rajesh, LDF independent KT Jaleel and ES Bijimol of CPI were among seven MLAs from the state who had received invitation to attend the 21-day programme being organised by the US Government early next month.
The Left leadership restrained their MLAs from attending the programme as it was part of America's designs to bring young leaders from Third World countries under its influence, according to Rajesh.
Endorsing his party's stand, Rajesh said his party had its own stand on the issue and their backout was also a mark of protest to various policies of the US Government including its "insensitive" stand on the Israeli attack on Palestinians in Gaza.