Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Fresh challenges before Congress

Senior Congress leader K. Karunakaran still a key factor in State politics.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Veteran leader K. Karunakaran’s re-entry into the Congress has thrown up fresh challenges for the party. Mr. Karunakaran announced his re-entry in a grand manner by holding a massive rally in Kochi recently.

Though he has time and again announced that his re-entry was unconditional, the party leadership would have to find suitable accommodation for his supporters.

The thumb rule to be followed has already been declared — all those who return would be given back their posts at the time of the split.

Though the details of the accommodation formula have not been worked out, the issues related to it are likely to pose a headache to the party leadership.

According to senior Congress leaders, the party has so far not accommodated all leaders who had left Mr. Karunakaran at various stages. There are three tiers of such leaders — those who parted ways with Mr. Karunakaran prior to his split and just before the split and those who rejoined when he took the Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran) into the Nationalist Congress Party.

The most difficult task is to provide accommodation to the leaders at the grassroots level. Most of those who returned with Mr. Karunakaran are workers at the lower levels, it is pointed out.

Mr. Karunakaran apparently has not forgiven those who betrayed him at the time of the split and during the merger.

His choice of speakers at the rally gave a clear indication of his preference. Significantly, V.M. Sudheeran, known for his battles against Mr. Karunakaran, was a surprise invitee along with M.M. Jacob. All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretaries Kodikunnil Suresh and Tom Vadakkan also got space.

Besides, all public appearances of Mr. Karunakaran were significant, as they were attended by leaders who were known to be close to the pre-1989 equations in the Congress.

Though senior leaders of the Congress maintain that there would be no factional activity, an uneasy calm prevails in the party.

Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy is reconciling to the return of Mr. Karunakaran after initially expressing reservations. Union Defence Minister A.K. Antony has a major say, but he has refused to play any part leaving it to the current leadership in the State to take the appropriate decision. He has from the beginning taken a view that Mr. Karunakaran’s place is in the Congress and had tried his best to accommodate him when he was in charge.

The large attendance that Mr. Karunakaran has drawn at his functions would make Mr. Antony feel that his stand was vindicated.

According to Congress leaders, the way out is to leave it to the party high command to settle any differences that might crop up.

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