Kannur: Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony's idea for the need to strengthen the ruling United Democratic Front in Kerala to fight the CPM-led Left Democratic Front has now lost relevance with Congress leadership moving towards forging alliance with secular parties, including the CPM (Communist Party of India-Marxist) to fight the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) at the national level, senior Congress leader K Karunakaran, said on October 22.

Most of the UDF constituents, including the Muslim League, were disenchanted with the performance of the two-and-a-half year rule of the Antony government, Karunakaran told a meet-the-press programme in Kannur.

Karunakaran was in Kannur to also address a district party convention of the 'I' faction of Congress.

"If you ask the leaders of the Muslim League or any other constituent of the ruling Front about the performance of the government, I am sure, they will admit of the poor show of the Antony government during the past several months," he said.

Criticising the Antony government, he said there was no indication whatsoever to show that there was an effective government in the state.

Functioning of various departments from secretariat to the panchayat level, were badly hit due to the lack of effective leadership at the government level and "we cannot blame the employees for that", he said.

Asked whether he preferred a change in the style of functioning of the Chief Minister or a leadership change, Karunakaran said both were needed at the moment as the state should have a leader who could adapt to changed situation.

Asked if he was willing to head the government if the party decided for a change of leadership, he said he was ready to take up any responsibility if supported by his party.

PTI