The Hindu : National : Congress downplays Kerala episode

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Tuesday, May 03, 2005

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National

Congress downplays Kerala episode

Special Correspondent

"It is not a split; only formation of a group" The party has asked the Kerala unit to organise conventions on a ``war-footing'' to mobilise workers

NEW DELHI: A day after veteran Congressman K. Karunakaran associated himself with his son K. Muraleedharan and announced the formation of National Congress (Indira), the Congress preferred to underplay it as only a ``formation of a group'' and not a split. Still, conscious of the impact of the development on the morale of its workers, the Congress central leadership has asked its Kerala unit to organise conventions on a ``war-footing'' across the State to mobilise the grassroots worker.

The party has also taken umbrage at the use of the name of the former Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, by the new outfit; stating that only the Indian National Congress had the right to claim the legacy and sacrifice of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. The party would lodge its protest with the Election Commission as and when the formation files papers for registration.

``Most unfortunate''

Commenting on the developments in the Kerala unit of the Congress, the party spokesperson, Anand Sharma, said it was ``most unfortunate'' that a senior leader such as Mr. Karunakaran — with a long association with the Congress and who reaffirmed his commitment to the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and the principles of the INC — had decided to align with a person who was expelled by the party because of his indiscipline.

When people decided to walk out of a party, it could not be described as a split. ``Only when elected office-bearers, executive members, legislators or Parliament members move out in numbers, can it be seen as a split,'' he said. The party is finding relief in the fact that only one of the 14 District Congress Committee presidents has chosen to associate with the new outfit.

Asked about the party's attitude towards seven legislators reported to be present at the convention on Sunday, Mr. Sharma said that appropriate action would be taken as and when these legislators announced their association with the group. Preliminary reports suggest that even these seven legislators did not attend the meeting and confined themselves to a guesthouse near the venue.

Heaves a sigh of relief

With Mr. Karunakaran announcing his resignation from the Rajya Sabha, the Congress heaved a sigh of relief. Welcoming his decision, Mr. Sharma said it was only proper that Mr. Karunakaran put in his papers after having announced his intention to do so on Friday.

Meet Patel

The convener of the United Democratic Front (UDF), P. P. Thankachan, and the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, Thennala Balakrishna Pillai, met the All-India Congress Committee in-charge, Ahmed Patel, separately.

After these meetings it was decided that workers' conventions would be organised across the State. Also, Mr. Pillai had been asked to convene a meeting of the KPCC Executive and Mr. Thankachan the UDF Coordination Committee at the earliest.

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