Cong in a fix after Satheesan's Jamaat chit

Besides UDF allies, party nat'l leadership too unhappy over devpt, while many Muslim outfits come out against Jamaat

- K S SREEJITH @T'Puram

Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan seems to have opened a Pandora's box with his attempt to "whitewash" the Jamaat-e-Islami, after its political arm Welfare Party of India extended support to the Congress candidate in Nilambur.

Not only key UDF partners IUML and Kerala Congress (KC), but even the Congress national leadership is learnt to be wary of the development.

The KC, already under the scanner of forces like CASA over its alleged soft stand on Munambam, was vehement in its opposition. "Satheesan should have been more careful. Open endorsement of the Welfare Party and Jamaat-e-Islami would harm the prospects of the UDF and our party in central Kerala," a senior KC leader told TNIE on condition of anonymity.