News and Views

KPCC President V. M. Sudheeran has asked Congress district level subcommittees to forward draft list of possible candidates for the Assembly elections by February 29.

The KPCC president, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala would meet and finalise the draft list on March 1. This list would be considered by the Congress High Command.

The last session of the 13^th Kerala Assembly ended on Wednesday with a discordant note.

The Opposition had boycotted the sitting after the Speaker disallowed moving of an adjournment motion, and frequent disruptions of the proceedings by the Opposition had forced the government to cut short the session from 14 days to 11 days. The usual bonhomie of the last sitting was absent.

The Opposition staged noisy protests in the Kerala Assembly, and later boycotted legislative business on Wednesday.

The House saw noisy exchanges and slogan shouting between the Opposition and ruling Front members during consideration of a notice given by the Opposition to move an adjournment motion. The motion sought to discuss the recorded observation of Thrissur Vigilance Court on Tuesday that Oommen Chandy had signed the file relating to the palmolein deal as the then Finance Minister. (updated report)

Fires are recurring in the Periyar Tiger Reserve and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.

A few fires occurred in the South West side of the Reserve during the last 48 hours, satellite images show. Locals say that the fires might have been caused by seasonal traders at Sabarimala. They burn trees every season so that they would have sufficient supply of firewood next season. Dry branches of the burnt trees would remain in the forest which can be collected next season.

The Congress will speed up steps for selection of candidates for Assembly elections in Kerala. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, KPCC President V. M. Sudheeran and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala together will play a key role in selecting candidates.

Seat sharing talks with constituents of UDF will be held without delay.

These decisions were taken at the meeting the Congress high command had with Mr. Chandy, Mr. Sudheeran and Mr. Chennithala in New Delhi on Monday.