KC(M) to stand by farmers against encroachments: Mani

There is no question of  the Kerala Congress, as a responsible party, approving of land encroachments anywhere in the state but at the same time the party will not allow the interests of genuine farmers to be sacrificed, Kerala Congress supremo and Finance Minister K M Mani said here on Tuesday.

 He demanded that the UDF committee on Nelliampathy should be reorganised in the wake of the resignation of M M Hassan from the post of convenor and that the report should be submitted without delay.

 Speaking to mediapersons after an emergency leaders’ meet of the Kerala Congress (M) to take stock of the situation following the Nelliyampathy estates’ issue and the role of  party vice-chairman and Government chief whip P C George in the controversy, Mani said that George had given an undertaking at the meet that he will tender an apology including to the Dheevara Sabha if his words had hurt anyone.  “That does not mean that George had committed any wrong. It is a responsible response of a political party,”  Mani said.  Mani said that the UDF panel on Nelliampathy will look into the merits of  the case.

 “The Kerala Congress will stand by the broad interests of the state. There is no question of  approving any illegal encroachments. I’m not arguing the case of any individual. I’m not a party to the case. We do not have any per-conceived notion nor do we have anything to hide.  This is the crux of the party’s stance on the Nelliampathy issue,” he said.  On whether George will apologise to T N Pratapan MLA and settle the current controversy, Mani said that George had informed him and other leaders that he had no ill-motive nor had he insulted anyone while airing his views.