The Hindu : New Delhi News : IUML still a force, says Karunakaran

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IUML still a force, says Karunakaran

Special Correspondent

‘Congress cannot afford to lose its ally’

Criticises change in Congress’ style of functioning
‘Leadership should emerge through organisational polls’

NEW DELHI: Veteran Congress leader K. Karunakaran on Friday said the Congress could ill-afford to jeopardise its alliance with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) as it was still a force to reckon with among the Muslims of Kerala.

In an informal interaction with mediapersons here, Mr. Karunakaran - who is in the capital to attend the first meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) after he was re-inducted into it as permanent invitee - said: “The League might not be as strong as it once used to be, but Muslims of Kerala still hold it in esteem.”

Among the architects of the alliance in Kerala nearly four decades ago, Mr. Karunakaran pointed out that Muslims make for nearly 22 per cent of Kerala’s population and the Congress would find it difficult without the support of the Muslim League. These comments come in the wake of the prevailing tension between the two crucial allies in the United Democratic Front over objectionable remarks made by senior Congressman Aryadan Mohammed against IUML president Panakkad Syed Mohammadali Shihab Thangal.

About the Congress’ electoral prospects - given successive losses in various Assembly elections - Mr. Karunakaran lamented the change in the party’s style of functioning as a result of which it had lost touch with the masses. “There was a time when we used to know every voter and their problems, but that is no longer the case.”

Also, in his opinion, the only way to strengthen the organisation is through proper elections; particularly in a politically alert State like Kerala. “The party’s leadership should emerge through organisational elections,” he said; adding that the democratic exercise would only strengthen the Congress.

About the criticism that he was only interested in promoting his family members, Mr. Karunakaran shot back: “My son is not with me today; I have not seen him for six months.” Referring to differences with his son on returning to the Congress, he said: “I did what I thought was in the interest of the nation.”

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