Thiruvananthapuram:
The now-on now-off talk of making Kerala Congress president Ramesh Chennithala a minister in the United Democratic Front (UDF) government has once again gained currency with key allies today putting this across as an option during their meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
According to the UDF allies, the move will strengthen the government ahead of Lok Sabha polls.
During their interaction with Mrs Gandhi last night, leaders of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Kerala Congress (Mani) focused on the need to refurbish the UDF's image - dented by issues like the solar scam and virulent campaign unleashed by CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) against the Oommen Chandy government.
Most of the Congress leaders sounded sceptical about drastic changes being made in the ministry and party set-up before Parliament elections, but they respected the allies' sentiments for strengthening unity and improving the image of the coalition.
According to UDF sources, the allies told Mrs Gandhi that despite its image crisis, the coalition was still strong enough to make handsome gains if they fought the polls unitedly by sorting out internal differences.
In 2009, the UDF lifted 15 of the 20 seats in the state, leaving five to the LDF and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) drew a blank.
They said it was crucial that as the main party, the Congress bridge the divide between factions loyal to Mr Chandy and Mr Chennithala and that the possible way out is inducting the KPCC president in the Cabinet with an important portfolio.