Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 04: Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony is likely to seek a confidence vote in the assembly to end the crisis sparked by the banner of revolt raised by the senior Congress leader K Karunakaran. According Antony loyalist and UDF convener Oommen Chandy, there was a strong view in the anti-Karunakaran camp that the option to seek confidence vote could be considered to end the political 'uncertainities' shrouding the coalition government.

However, it was for the Chief Minister to decide on the matter and it would require clearance from the Congress president. The coalition partners should also be taken into confidence, Chandy told a press meet here.
Exuding confidence that Antony would win "handsdown" in the event of his going for a confidence vote, Chandy said such a course of action would help "clear all doubts regarding the majority enjoyed by the Antony government."


He said that the question of a leadership change in the state did not arise as the Chief Minister enjoyed a two-third majority in the house.

About KPCC president K Muraleedharan's statement that Antony had betrayed his lack of trust in the Congress MLAs, Chandy said that it was unbelievable that such a comment had come from the KPCC president who was bound to protect the government like the apple of his eye.

Bureau Report