The Hindu : Front Page : Murali puts record straight on leadership

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 12, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Murali puts record straight on leadership

Special Correspondent

The DIC(K) leader says it is the prerogative of the Congress high command

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran) president K. Muraleedharan on Tuesday sought to put the record straight by categorically stating that it was the prerogative of the Congress to lead the Government. The Congress high command would choose a person to head it, he added.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Muraleedharan said even though the opinions of the constituents were taken into account, the party high command had the prerogative to decide on the Chief Minister. "Even Mr. K Karunakaran was chosen Chief Minister through this procedure," Mr. Muraleedharan said.

Mr. Muraleedharan's clarification came a day after his father stated that it was the prerogative of the coalition partners to decide on the Chief Minister. Mr. Karunakaran's statement has virtually opened a new debate for the Left Democratic Front (LDF) that has been finding it difficult to counter the constant attacks by the Congress asking the coalition to name its Chief Minister.

Mr. Muraleedharan ruled out any question of upsetting the applecart for the United Democratic Front (UDF). The DIC(K) would carry forward the mandate of the people, especially if its electoral adjustments with the Congress were to succeed. "We would perform our duties without fail," Mr. Muraleedharan said.

He said that the Congress had put forward the condition that the two parties should merge after the elections. A decision on this would be taken after the elections taking into account the sentiments of the party workers. As far as the DIC(K) was concerned, merger with the Congress was not on its agenda and it wanted to ensure the victory of the UDF.

Mr. Muraleedharan said that he would be on the dais if AICC president Sonia Gandhi were to come to Thrissur for electioneering and if Chief Minister Oommen Chandy were to arrive in Koduvally for electioneering,

Mr. Muraleedharan saidall DIC(K) members of local bodies would step down from office at the end of the month. Those who failed to fall in line with the party directive would face disqualification, he said. He criticised the LDF for accepting the support of the PDP, INL and Jamatt Islami, as it feared an electoral defeat.

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