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Chandy hits out at `I' group

By Our Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE OCT. 14. The UDF convener, Oommen Chandy, has said a decision to retain the Congress party in its ``pure form'' would be taken by the party high command.

Speaking at a convention of anti-Karunakaran factions here today, Mr. Chandy said the Congress provided maximum freedom to its workers and leaders. However, instances of violating the freedom were witnessed in the last Rajya Sabha elections and the statements of some senior leaders on the Marad agreement.

He said ``some people are keeping aloof from these conventions (organised by anti-Karunakaran factions) because of their tie-up with certain quarters. However, we should try to unite all who have Congress feelings''. Reiterating that the conventions were not against any ``group'' in the party or ``anti-Karunakaran'', Mr. Chandy said these were collectives of Congress workers.

Referring to the KPCC president, K. Muraleedharan's statement that Mr. Chandy was indulging in ``anti-party activities'', he said that if one were to take these conventions alone as a criterion, one was bound to think so. ``But had they (I group) not accepted second preference votes from the CPI(M) in the last Rajya Sabha elections. Also, but for the fax from New Delhi for expelling six MLAs from the party, the Government would have been voted out in the voting on the Finance Bill.'' Mr. Chandy said he and others in the party were compelled to organise such conventions for ``saving the party'' after a series of ``anti-party activities'' by the `I' group culminating in a rally on November 19 and the announcement of a new party if the proposed leadership change did not take place.

``We could not stand this no more. We are actually pressed against the wall,'' he added.

Lamenting that the culture and tradition of the Congress were being lost out to the trend of giving importance to personalities and leaders, he observed that during the days of Gandhiji, the opinions of the Congress workers carried weight. ``But now we have lost it. We should restore it.''

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