The Hindu : Murali accepts formula, Karunakaran defiant

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 31, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Murali accepts formula, Karunakaran defiant

By Girish Menon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JAN. 30. The KPCC president, K. Muraleedharan, today informed the party president, Sonia Gandhi, of his acceptance of the proposal to induct him as a Minister in the Antony Cabinet.

However, the veteran Congress leader, K. Karunakaran, continued to be obstinate in his opposition to the settlement formula, insisting on allocation of either the Finance or Home portfolio to his nominee. Till late this evening, he stuck to his decision to float a party, despite Mr. Muraleedharan's efforts to convince him and get him accept the formula.

In a letter to Mrs. Gandhi, Mr. Muraleedharan also requested her to relieve him of his responsibilities as KPCC president and make alternative arrangements. He informed her that he would accept any appropriate decision she might take on the basis of the approved formula.

Mr. Muraleedharan also put forward certain suggestions in his letter. This included inducting the incumbent KPCC vice-president, P. P. Thankachan, as his successor. He said that Mr. Karunakaran's views should be given proper consideration during the coming Lok Sabha elections and no disciplinary action should be taken against any leader or worker belonging to the Karunakaran faction.

Later addressing media persons, Mr. Muraleedharan said newsreports that he had resigned was the outcome of a misreading of the situation. "I am still the KPCC president. I have expressed my total support to the AICC president and informed her that I would continue to remain in the party," he said and added that he had sent the letter to the AICC president as part of the formula for solving the problems in the Kerala unit of the party.

Asked about his successor in the KPCC, Mr. Muraleedharan said that it was for the party high command to make the announcement and the decision would be accepted by all. He refused to divulge all that he had written in the letter.

Mr. Muraleedharan's letter of acceptance was only a procedural matter facilitating the party high command to carry forward the formula talks. The final shape of the package formula would depend on how far Mr. Muraleedharan would succeed in bringing around his father. He had taken up the responsibility to do so during his dialogue with the Chief Minister, A. K. Antony. He said today that the efforts were continuing and he was confident of pacifying Mr. Karunakaran.

The main contention, it appears, is over the portfolio to be given to Mr. Muraleedharan. Significantly, Mr. Antony has categorically termed as "non-negotiable" the Finance, Excise and Home portfolios, but at the same time, he has neither given any commitment on the alternative portfolios that could be given to Muraleedharan nor has he revealed his mind on the subject. At best, he has informed the UDF mediators, Industry-IT Minister, P. K. Kunhalikutty and the Revenue Minister, K. M, Mani, that he would not mind giving a portfolio which was equivalent to the status of the KPCC president, but preferring to exercise his prerogative as Chief Minister.

The formula talks would gather further momentum when Mr. Karunakaran and Mr. Muraleedharan would arrive in Delhi for the final session of Parliament.

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