Kerala   

A setback for Karunakaran?

By Girish Menon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MARCH 21. The `I' group rebellion would prove to be a setback to the veteran Congress leader, K. Karunakaran, coming as it does in the backdrop of the dispute over the distribution of tickets for Kozhikode and Mukundapuram seats in the May 10 Lok Sabha elections.

The party high command, according to information available here, has entrusted an independent agency with an assessment of the winning chances of two of its nominees in the two constituencies, along with that of Ernakulam, since this seat is also connected to the prospects in Mukundapuram. The decision to independently assess the winning chances of candidates was taken in view of the objections raised by the DCC leadership in Ernakulam and Kozhikode.

The KPCC general secretaries, Rajmohan Unnithan and T. Saratchandra Prasad's allegations have added a new element in the current exercise to select candidates. Even though the two have rebelled because they failed to find a place in the Karunakaran group's list after having played a vital role during the factional feuds over the last one year, the allegations put the spotlight on the inability of the Karunakaran faction to put up a united front, especially in the light of the authority given to the veteran leader to nominate his men to the seats allotted to his faction.

The Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, had favoured a selection process that would fully accommodate Mr. Karunakaran and one which would not upset the settlement formula that averted a split of the party. As per this formula, K. Muraleedharan was accommodated in the Cabinet. Mr. Antony had favoured accommodating V. Balaram who had vacated the WadakkancherryAssembly seat for Mr. Muraleedharan. The Chief Minister's stand was to give Mr. Karunakaran the number of seats he demanded, besides giving him the authority to nominate his men to the seven seats allotted to him.

However, the central election committee had its own views about the Kozhikode seat. This further delayed the announcement of the final list of candidates. The rebellion by the two along with another leader, P.C. Chacko, and the Mahila Congress State president, Shanimol Usman, has put the entire issue of candidates' winnability back into focus. Mr. Antony could, however, take consolation from the fact that the disruption to the unity process did not come from either him or any of his colleagues. It is not clear what kind of disciplinary action would be taken against Mr. Unnithan and Mr. Prasad, but their dissident activity could have its impact on the election prospects of Congress candidates. The UDF leaders, who were quite relieved at the unity process in the Congress, are now worried at the latest round of problems in the party.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

• A setback for Karunakaran?
• Scheme for farmers
• Train passengers left in the lurch
• Government to announce special package for farmers
• Convene KPCC executive: `I' group rebels
• Show-cause notice not valid: Chacko
• Debt traps continue to haunt farmers
• Allegation will be probed if needed: Thankachan
• DCC chief defends Karunakaran, Murali
• New findings on Kerala's antiquity
• More OP counters at Medical College Hospital
• Narayana Pisharody dead
• No role in attack: Porattam
• Briefly

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu