The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Clear signals of a new outfit from `I' group

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 01, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Clear signals of a new outfit from `I' group

Staff Reporter

Karunakaran calls it a get-together of real Congressmen

THRISSUR: The senior Congress leader K. Karunakaran and his son and expelled party leader K. Muraleedharan, on Saturday gave clear signals that the State-level convention of the party workers they have convened here on Sunday will announce the formation of a new party which will approve the leadership of Sonia Gandhi but will not recognise the KPCC.

However, addressing separate press conferences, both of them refrained from making any direct announcement about the formation of a new party. KPCC not functioning

Mr. Karunakaran said the present KPCC was not at all functioning and, therefore, the convention would elect a new president and a structure and programme for strengthening the Congress in the State.

It would be a get-together of Congress workers who are inspired by the leadership of late Indira Gandhi and would uphold the true ideals of the Congress. They would recognise the leadership of Ms. Sonia Gandhi but would not accept the present KPCC.

Replying to questions, Mr. Karunakaran made it clear that the outfit would be the real Congress in the State and eventually the party high command would also recognise this. The convention would chalk out programmes to strengthen the party in the State with and without the support of the high command.

New symbol and flag

Mr. Muraleedharan also made it clear that the Congress workers coming for the convention would respect Ms. Sonia Gandhi as the member of the Nehru family and as the head of the secular democratic formation, UPA.

Even though Mr. Karunakaran said the new outfit would have a new symbol and flag, the `I' group leaders said the new flag would only be a modified version of the tri-colour with the `charka' and picture of Indira Gandhi drawn at its central white portion.

Mr. Karunakaran said the resignation of the `I' group MLAs would be announced at the appropriate time after considering the legal aspects.

Mr. Muraleedharan made it clear that the MLAs had been asked not to attend the convention on Sunday.

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Andhra Pradesh