Rift in Cong over CM's budget proposals

Sudheeran opposes liquor tax cut and private mineral sand mining, Venugopal signals high command's concerns.

- K S SREEJITH

BARELY days after presenting its maiden budget, the V D Satheesan government is facing mounting pressure to roll back two controversial proposals. After veteran Congress leader V M Sudheeran opposed the proposal for a lower tax on low-alcohol beverages and to allow private participation in mineral sand mining, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal signalled the party high command's unease over the controversy.

Widely regarded as Satheesan's mentor, Sudheeran was a key backer in the former's bid for the chief minister's post.

Moreover, the Satheesan-Sudheeran axis was seen as a formidable force in the state's political landscape. Congress leaders say Sudheeran's intervention was inevitable given his long-standing reservations on both issues. He is also understood to be unhappy with the government's handling of certain matters.