Congress bows to IUML pressure

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In spite of  stiff opposition raised at the recent KPCC office-bearers’ meet,  the Congress relented to the IUML demand after it became clear that there is no other way to keep the second largest partner in the front in good humour. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had told Express the other day that reports suggesting that there will not be a fifth minister for  IUML were not correct. The only question left before the Congress was whether Ali  should be inducted before or after the Neyyatinkara bypoll.The KPCC, with the backing of  the Congress high command and community organisations like the NSS,  had been striving hard to maintain the communal balance in the Cabinet. However, the Congress was forced to discard various proposals in the face of  the threatening posture of  the IUML.