During the meeting, the UDF members prevailed upon Sonia Gandhi to ensure that whatever factional issues that exist in the party here are settled at the earliest.
The allies of the Congress in the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) today held discussions with Congress president Sonia Gandhi in Kottayam.
During the meeting, coming ahead of the Kerala assembly polls scheduled for next year, the UDF members prevailed upon Mrs Gandhi to ensure that whatever factional issues that exist in the party here are settled at the earliest.
Among the senior leaders who called on her at the Government Guest House here were former state finance minister KM Mani (Kerala Congress-Mani), PK Kunhalikutty (Indian Union Muslim League), Veerendra Kumar (Janata Dal-United), NK Premachandran (RSP), and Anup Jacob (Kerala Congress-Jacob).
Over the years, factionalism has bothered the Congress party in the state, and for one whole decade the feud between the majority faction led by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and state Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has at times caused embarrassment to the coalition.
"In the Congress party, all the issues are addressed by the party high command and we have asked her to see whatever issues are there should be resolved," said state Industries Minister Kunhalikutty to reporters after he and his party leaders met Mrs Gandhi.
Mani told reporters that with the assembly polls coming up soon they asked her to see that there should be a fair attitude when it comes to seat distribution among the UDF constituents.
"Also we have raised concern about some Congress leaders publicly airing statements that have hurt the minority communities. We do not wish that to happen. She gave us a patient hearing," said Mr Mani.
Mr Mani recently had to quit as the Kerala cabinet minister following an adverse court remark in the bar scam case, in which he is accused of taking a bribe from bar owners.
Veerendra Kumar said they raised the issues that they have raised at the UDF meetings earlier too.
Mrs Gandhi met the allies in the company of Mukul Wasnik, the Congress general secretary in charge of the party affairs in Kerala.
Accompanying Mrs Gandhi on her day-long visit is Mr Chandy. State party president VM Sudheeran and Mr Chennithala will be joining the two, before she returns to Delhi from Kochi.