The Hindu : Front Page : Misunderstanding yet to be cleared: Moily

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Sunday, Mar 19, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Misunderstanding yet to be cleared: Moily

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Karunakaran-Moily talks on Saturday hit a blind alley over the question of the supporters of Mr. Karunakaran contesting on the Congress election symbol. Even though the Congress Working Committee member Veerappa Moily termed the talks `cordial,' it was held amidst increasing suspicion among Congress leaders about the designs of the DIC(K) in forging a larger alliance in the event of seat adjustments between the UDF and the former.

Addressing mediapersons soon after his talks with Mr. Karunakaran, Mr. Moily said the cloud of misunderstanding was yet to be cleared. He was confident that the differences could be sorted out during the next round of talks to be resumed on Sunday. The comfort level was high and the discussion covered all matters relating to the election, he said. The IUML leader P. K. Kuhalikutty said the talks could not be prolonged indefinitely in view of the elections. The final word on the

DIC(K)-UDF ties would be that of the Congress. He was happy that the talks had progressed to the extent of the leaders of the two parties holding direct parleys. In the morning, the Congress leaders held two rounds of discussions on the line to be adopted when Mr. Moily arrived for talks. The unanimous submission before Mr. Moily was that the DIC(K) would strike a larger deal for an alliance that would not be in the interest of the Congress. If this were not to happen, the DIC(K) should contest under the "hand" symbol. The leaders who met Moily pointed out that there could be no compromise on this issue. Mr. Karunakaran reportedly demanded 30 seats for his party and rejected the proposal that the DIC(K) contest under the `hand' symbol.

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