The Hindu : No problems in `I' group: Karunakaran

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 26, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

No problems in `I' group: Karunakaran

By Our Staff Reporter

THRISSUR, MARCH 25 . The senior Congress leader, K. Karunakaran, today said that there were no problems in the `I' group over the allegations raised by Rajmohan Unnithan and T. Saratchandra Prasad.

Mr. Karunakaran told reporters here that Mr. Unnithan and Mr. Prasad had kicked up a fuss as they had been denied seats. "Their credentials are well-known."

Asked if he had invited Mr. Unnithan to a family function, held in Thiruvananthapuram, as a conciliatory move, the senior leader replied in the negative.

"Several people had been invited to the function," he said.

Mr. Karunakaran also denied having met Mr. Unnithan last night.

The senior leader said he was not aware of an agreement between the groups over the Mayor's post in Thrissur.

"Jose Kattookkaran is a disciplined party worker. Even before he became the Mayor, I wanted to give him a few other posts. But a few people spoilt his chance."

Asked whether the issue of the Mayor's post was affecting the election campaign in the district, Mr. Karunakaran said there was no need to remove Mr. Kattookkaran in the name of campaign.

"The problems can be solved by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) in an amicable manner. Mr. Kattookkaran is not a trouble-maker, we all know."

Asked about the altercations between party workers at a block-level meeting at Mala on Wednesday, in which the KPCC executive member, Padmaja Venugopal, had taken part, Mr. Karunakaran said the people of Mala were always with him.

He said the delay in the announcement of the list of Congress candidates would harm the party. "It will create confusion."

Earlier, Mr. Karunakaran visited the memorial of his wife, Kalyanikutty Amma, on the occasion of her 10th death anniversary.

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