The Hindu : Kerala News : Karunakaran to seek fair deal for his supporters

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Wednesday, Feb 13, 2008
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Karunakaran to seek fair deal for his supporters

Special Correspondent

To discuss the issue with Sonia during her Kerala visit

K. Karunakaran speaking up for his supporters.

Thiruvananthapuram: Veteran Congress leader K. Karunakaran has made it clear that he will seek a fair deal that will create conducive conditions for his supporters to contribute towards strengthening the party.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Mr. Karunakaran said he had rejoined the party without any conditions, but some kind of confidence building was necessary leading to a reconstitution of the party and equip it to face the upcoming challenges. His supporters were not getting the opportunity to work towards strengthening the party. He said he would discuss this issue with party president Sonia Gandhi during her visit to the State capital as the confidence building exercise could not be delayed any further. Her visit was the first since he returned to the party and therefore all party workers should sink their differences and give her a grand welcome, he said. He said the party leadership should not delay a decision in view of the adverse position it would be in the context of delimitation of Parliamentary constituencies.

Replying to a spate of questions, Mr. Karunakaran said the people were not convinced about the presence of the Opposition and had a feeling that it was a mere spectator to the misdeeds of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government. The United Democratic Front (UDF) parties were only participating in the various campaigns, without a conviction. The situation would change after Ms. Gandhi’s visit. The State leadership would seriously discuss and take a decision on a plan of action against the government for its failure to tackle price rise and corruption in government.

He said the UDF should consider whether it should widen its base by roping in certain parties that were unhappy with the LDF. When asked to name such parties, Mr. Karunakaran retorted: “Do you not read the newspapers?”

He criticised the Chief Minister for poor performance of his government. He had failed to control quarrelling Ministers, leading to the impression that he was weak. The Chief Minister had enormous powers to summon his Ministers and seek explanation. However, such responses were not forthcoming, he said.

Strong steps were needed to tackle price rise. The Finance Minister should allocate additional funds for market intervention at any cost irrespective of the financial constraints he faced. He said the LDF partners had differences of opinion. “If the LDF leadership thinks that it can provide good governance without changing Mr. Achuthanandan, then the UDF would not have to do much,” he said.

He said the CPI(M) State conference in Kottayam had broken away from its traditions and principles, with mutual recriminations and accusations between rival groups.

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