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Rebel DIC leaders toughen stand on merger issue

Staff Reporter

Dissidents to meet in Kochi on September 20

THRISSUR: A meeting of rebel Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran) leaders here on Thursday decided not to "continue in a party led by K. Karunakaran and K. Muraleedharan whatever be the outcome of its move to merge with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).''

The former Health Minister P. Sankaran announced here that a State-level convention of rebel DIC(K) members would he held in Kochi on September 20 to decide the future course of action. District-level meetings of rebel members would be held before that.

Mr. Sankaran said the rebel members would not attend the DIC(K) general body meeting scheduled for September 20.

Asked to comment on Mr. Karunakaran's stand that a decision on the DIC(K)-NCP merger would be taken only after taking party workers into confidence, Mr. Sankaran described Mr. Karunakaran as "crafty.''

"He will change his opinion the next day. His words and deeds are rarely the same. Having been his disciples for long, we know how clever he is. Hence, we have also drawn up some clever plans,'' Mr. Sankaran said.

Asked if the rebel DIC(K) members would return to the parent organisation, Mr. Sankaran said a decision was yet to be taken.

"Each member may have his own opinion about the future course of action. But, upholding democratic practices, we will take a decision only after wide-ranging discussions,'' Mr. Sankaran said.

The proposal to merge the DIC(K) with the Indian National Congress, drawn up by a senior INC leader Veerappa Moily, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala and DIC(K) State president K. Muraleedharan, should be implemented, he said.

Mr. Sankaran said a few leaders, including C. K. Sreedharan and Somarajan, could not attend the meeting because of "personal inconvenience.''

"They have informed us that they will attend future meetings,'' Mr. Sankaran added.

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