The Hindu : Kerala News : `Congress-CPI(M) tie-up must for State'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

`Congress-CPI(M) tie-up must for State'

By Our Special Correspondent

KOZHIKODE, APRIL 12. M. A. John, KPCC member who had once led a radical forum of Congress workers, today welcomed I-group leader K. Muraleedharan's decision to continue his political activities along the ideological lines of the Congress even though he has been expelled from the party.

At a Press conference here, Mr. John said the time had come for joint efforts by the major parties in the State - the Congress and the CPI(M) - to bring about the overall development of the State.

He said the way for a Congress-CPI(M) alliance has been cleared by the decision to that effect taken at CPI(M)'s 18th party congress in New Delhi.

He said the I-group's largely-attended recent rallies in Kozhikode, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram must be seen as an expression of the dedicated party workers' anger and, anguish as well as an intense desire for qualitative change within the organisation.

"The participants in these rallies must be lauded,'' Mr. John said.

Asked if he would back the party, if it all Mr. Muraleedharan launches one, Mr. John said he would support all organisations that worked for the welfare of the people.

Patel issue

He was of the opinion that Mr. Muraleedharan calling AIICC general secretary in charge of Kerala, Ahmed Patel, "Aluminium Patel'' was not an unpardonable offence.

"Vallabhai Patel, who was a greater leader than Mr. Ahmed Patel was called the `iron man.' If it did not offend Vallabhai Patel, why should Mr. Ahmed Patel feel hurt," Mr. John asked.

Irrelevant

In his view, the recent row within the Congress had shown former Chief Minister A.K. Antony had become "irrelevant'' and that "the A-group has been hijacked by Oommen Chandy."

"People of Kerala are craving for liberation from communal forces, mafia and pressure tactics of small outfits that do not have mass support. This is what the large turnouts at I-group rallies have shown," he said.

Mr. John said that he had been advocating a Congress-CPI(M) alliance in the interests of the State since the 1970s and expressed satisfaction at recent developments which indicate it could soon be a reality.

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