The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : A rare meeting that mended fences

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 26, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

A rare meeting that mended fences

Special Correspondent

Thiruvananthapuram: For the Governor-designate K. Sankaranarayanan and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader K. Karunakaran their meeting here on Thursday was a rare one that mended fences of political differences lasting more than a decade.

Mr. Sankaranarayanan called on Mr. Karunakaran prior to his departure to assume charge as Nagaland Governor, but that was enough for both to go down memory lane. Mr. Sankaranarayanan and Mr. Karunakaran fell apart way back in 1994 when the former was denied a Rajya Sabha seat. Since then, Mr. Sankaranarayanan was a hard critic, never hesitating to express his political opposition to Mr. Karunakaran's brand of politics. He hardly made any social calls on Mr. Karunakaran since they parted ways, though they had sat together around the UDF table discussing issues. But the ice melted when Mr. Karunakaran called up Mr. Sankaranarayanan to congratulate him on his appointment. The latter returned the courtesy amid the full blare of the cameras.

The Governor-designate also called on Governor R.L. Bhatia sans the media glare. Mr. Sankaranarayanan also called on Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan who gave him a warm welcome with a friendly hug. The two spent some 20 minutes together. Mr. Sankaranarayanan extended an invitation to the Chief Minister to visit Nagaland.

PATCH-UP: K. Sankaranarayanan, Governor-designate of Nagaland, calls on NCP leader K. Karunakaran at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, (right) Mr. Sankaranarayanan with Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan at the latter's office. Photos : S. Mahinsha and S. Gopakumar

Several officials and political leaders called on him at the Guest House where he was staying to convey their best wishes. He also visited the KPCC headquarters before returning to Palakkad.

Mr. Sankaranarayanan will be sworn in on February 3. The KPCC has nominated its official spokesman M.M. Hassan and KPCC general secretary Benny Behanan to attend the swearing in ceremony.

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