Thiruvananthapuram: Ending all suspense, Kerala Assembly Speaker G Karthikeyan today said he has sought the approval of Congress leadership to resign from the post and return to active politics.
Announcing his decision a day after the conclusion of the monsoon session of the Assembly, Karthikeyan said he had already conveyed this to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, KPCC president V M Sudheeran and senior leader A K Antony.
“I have conveyed my desire to the leadership. It is for the party to take a final call. I will abide by the party decision,” Karthikeyan, MLA from Aruvikkara segment in Thiruvananthapuram district told a press meet.
He said he was making his stand public to end speculations in media as he was keen that the Speaker’s post should not be the subject for controversy. Karthikeyan, a former minister, said he was not hankering after any posts but to return to active politics. “I have been given everything by the party since I plunged into politics as the age of 14. The Speaker’s post was also given to me by the party. Now also I will go by what party decides,” he said.
Two days’ back Karthikeyan had met Sudheeran, who is now on a foreign tour, to convey him that was keen to quit as the Speaker. His move has triggered speculations of a reshuffle of the Congress nominees in the UDF ministry with Karthikeyan himself getting accommodated in the cabinet with a key portfolio.
However, Chandy or Sudheeran have so far refrained from making any firm commitment in this regard. They had said that no formal discussion had begun on the reshuffle and this was an issue to be discussed in the Congress leadership and also among the UDF partners.
Meanwhile Chandy said it was for the Congress High Command to take a decision on the desire expressed by Karthikeyan to step down from the Speaker’s post and return to active politics.
Speaking to reporters at Kasargod, Chandy said Karthikeyan had informed him of the desire to relinquish the Speaker’s post. “It is the Congress High Command that has to give the sanction in this regard,” Chandy said. (PTI)
