The Hindu : Front Page : Muraleedharan expelled from Congress for six years

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Monday, Apr 11, 2005

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Muraleedharan expelled from Congress for six years

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL 10. The Congress today expelled the former president of its Kerala unit, K. Muraleedharan, for six years, ending weeks of speculation over his getting the axe for "anti-party activities." The decision was announced early this afternoon, shortly after the former Kerala Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, a keen advocate of a "compromise solution," met the party president, Sonia Gandhi.

Announcing the decision, the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in-charge of organisational matters, Janardan Dwivedi, said, "Mr. Muraleedharan, who had been suspended from the party earlier, continues to indulge in anti-party activities. It has, therefore, been decided to expel him from the party for six years with immediate effect."

Mr. Muraleedharan, son of veteran Congress leader K. Karunakaran, was suspended from the party on March 9, hours ahead of the first of the three rallies convened by the `I' group against the diktats of the central leadership. Disciplinary action against Mr. Muraleedharan, according to the AICC in-charge of Kerala, Ahmed Patel, was long overdue.

Talking to reporters, Mr. Patel said the decision had been taken after wide consultations. "Mr. Muraleedharan left us with no option but to act against him. Despite his suspension, he kept up his statements against the State Government and the Chief Minister. He organised parallel conventions and set up parallel district committees. We gave him a long rope but now the high command is clear that indiscipline will not be tolerated." Mr. Patel said disciplinary action should have been taken against the Karunakaran faction after the Rajya Sabha by-election in April 2003 when it put up its own candidate against the official nominee.

"We tried to pamper them again during the Lok Sabha elections for the sake of unity, but did not win a single seat. We were wrong in our earlier assessment. This decision will strengthen the party," he said.

While speaking out against Mr. Muraleedharan, Mr. Patel was guarded in his response to questions on Mr. Karunakaran. Asked to explain his reluctance, he said, "He is a senior and respected leader of the party." Another reason for the AICC's "soft" attitude towards Mr. Karunakaran was his advancing age.

Mr. Antony admitted that his efforts to prevent the expulsion had failed. However, it could possibly have been avoided had Mr. Muraleedharan made it clear that he would not split the party.

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