Monday, Dec 29, 2003
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Kerala
By Our Special Correspondent
Speaking at a function organised to celebrate the 118th anniversary of the Congress, organised by the Youth Congress, Mr. Karthikeyan did not mince words while criticising these leaders, who, he alleged, were implementing their own agenda in the name of the Chief Minister, A. K. Antony. He said Mr. Antony was a popular leader and had the support of the people of Kerala and a majority in the Congress Legislature Party was merely a technicality. "An attempt to unite all right thinking Congressmen was made when a section in the party threw up a challenge against Mr. Antony's leadership. Such a unity was the need of the hour. But unfortunately, certain leaders started functioning as they wished and started openly expressing their opinions. The Congress party does not have an agenda. Individual leaders have their own personal agendas and are now involved in a rat race to get them implemented. The only debate in the party now is how to get into seats of power, " he observed. Mr. Karthikeyan said that the party owed a lot to leaders who had sacrificed their lives. This fact is usually lost sight of by the present generation of leaders. He took strong exception at the attempts of certain Antony faction leaders to isolate the Third Group. He failed to understand how there could be division at a time when all efforts were being made to ensure Congress rule. Even though such efforts were being made in the name of Mr. Antony, there was hardly any unanimity in opinions expressed by leaders, he added. He admitted that the party was facing a crisis. "But the crisis cannot be resolved by closed door discussions by one or two leaders. All factions should be involved in the current dialogues irrespective of their size. The UDF won a massive mandate owing to the joint efforts of all sections. There should be mutual respect for the rival faction. No one is above the other and no one a slave of another. In the party, all factions are equal. At present, the factional interests were being placed before that of the party. Endless dialogues are being held at various levels even though matters have reached a flashpoint," he said. He appealed to the second rung party leaders to tone down the tenor of their criticism of party leaders. "While making reckless statements, these leaders should bear in mind that a handful of leaders are taking decisions over their heads," he added. Mr. Karthikeyan reflected the frustration of the Third Group, which is now feeling totally left out of the current dialogues being held in Delhi to resolve the Congress tangle. Even though Mr. Karthikeyan did not name anyone, the brunt of his attack, it seems, was directed against Mr. Oommen Chandy and other leaders who are now in the forefront of the anti-Karunakaran campaign. The fact that Mr. Karthikeyan chose the anniversary celebration for his caustic remarks could not have been coincidental. His comments come on the eve of an elaborate factional meeting called by the veteran Congress leader, K. Karunakaran on Monday. All MLAs, KPCC office-bearers, KPCC executive members, and DCC presidents supporting Mr. Karunakaran have been asked to be present for the factional meeting, which would be held at the Satyan Memorial Hall in the city. Leaders in those districts in which the Karunakaran faction does not have adequate representation would be special invitees, according to the faction spokesman, Rajmohan Unnithan.
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