Talk of DyCMship for Chennithala only in media: Chandy

Talk of deputy chief ministership for Ramesh Chennithala is "only in the media" while the issue of Cabinet berth for the Kerala PCC chief will be resolved through discussions, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here today.
Chandy was talking to reporters after meeting Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party General Secretary in-charge of Kerala Madhusoodan Mistry.
His meeting with Gandhi came after crisis hit the party following "I Group" --a strong section in the Congress supporting Chennithala--strongly lobbying for Home portfolio or Deputy Chief Ministership with Revenue portfolio for the PCC chief in the state Cabinet.
"I had a detailed discussion with Gandhi on Kerala's organisational issues. A decision (on Chennithala's induction into Cabinet) will be taken based on the advise from the Central leadership and through discussions in the state," Chandy said.

He also blamed media for creating "confusion" in the party and people over the entry of Chennithala into the state Cabinet.
"I am not saying that there will be a deputy Chief Minister or there will not be a deputy chief minister. It is the media, which say all these... Media is creating confusion," Chandy said.

The Chief Minister's meeting with the Central leadership also came at a time when leaders of upper caste Hindu organisation --Nair Service Society (NSS)--escalated their attack on the Congress-led government for Hindu leaders not having lead role in the state administration.
Its leadership has alleged that the UDF government is a "pro-minority regime" headed by leaders from minority Christian and Muslim communities.

"I Group" argue that Chennithala "successfully led the Congress" overcoming crisis and he should be made No 2 in the Ministry.
However, a section supporting Chandy is opposing this fearing that it would create two power centre's in the state.