Pressure mounts on minister to quit

The decision taken by major opposition political parties and women and youth organisations to step up their stir for the ouster of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader and Industries Minister P.K. Kunjhalikutty, the key suspect in the infamous Kozhikode ice cream parlour sex scam, might soon lead to his resignation.

Adding to the odds against Kunjhalikutty are the rift in the Congress and the IUML, the key partners in the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF), over the issue and the opposition Left Democratic Front's (LDF) decision yesterday to boycott Kunjhalikutty even in the State Assembly and continue its stir until he is ousted from the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, moves are continuing by the Advocate-General to vacate the Kerala High Court stay on trial in the sex racket case. The moves come after a long period of silence by the parties concerned.

They have now been driven to the wall due to the startling disclosures by Rajeena, one of the sex scandal victims, and the subsequent furore.

If the stay is vacated the case proceedings would resume with Kunjhalikutty in the dock, according to legal experts. This would be a shattering blow to Kunjhalikutty supporters who have ruled out reopening the investigation. Reports say that a meeting of the IUML Working Committee, being held in the absence of key IUML leaders, might declare solidarity for the Minister.

The meeting is expected to project the idea that Kunjhalikutty enjoys the support of the committee. The Minister is said to be keen that even if he is ousted the people should realise that he had the party's support.

With the decision by the opposition to boycott the Minister at public functions and to carry on their stir by blocking his way until he is bundled out of the Cabinet, Kunjhalikutty is in for tougher days.

Numerous fax messages from Congress activists and a report from Governor R.L. Bhatia have gone to the high command seeking its immediate intervention. Informed sources say that Congress leader Ahmad Patil, who is in charge of the party in Kerala, will soon take up the issue with party leaders and IUML supremo Panakkad Shihab Thangal.

A section in the IUML has come out against Kunjhalikutty but his supporters say that if Thangal wanted him to resign all the IUML Ministers should follow suit, bringing down the government.

But some top leaders like Union Minister E. Ahamad is reported to be against such a proposal.

By now, it is clear that the IUML leadership is trying to avoid any direct intervention, leaving the ball in the Congress's court.