The Hindu : Cong. politics plunges into confusion

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 14, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Cong. politics plunges into confusion

By Girish Menon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM April 13. Congress politics in Kerala plunged into confusion with the Karunakaran and anti-Karunakaran groups rolling up their sleeves for a major showdown for Monday's Rajya Sabha elections.

Last minute efforts of the AICC observers, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and R. K. Dhavan, to bring the veteran Congress leader, K. Karunakaran around and withdraw his nominee, Kodoth Govindan Nair, did not succeed. The observers spent more than 45 minutes with Mr. Karunakaran as part of their last ditch attempt to convince Mr. Karunakaran the futility of his vain positions. After meeting him, the observers made it clear that the official candidates would be in the fray.

As things stand now, the IUML, Kerala Congress(M), the CMP have declared their unequivocal support for the Congress official candidates, while the Kerala Congress (Jacob) and the Kerala Congress(B) came out with near identical statements that their respective decision making bodies had decided to ensure the stability and unity of the UDF. The RSP(B) also came out with similar vague statements.

Mr. Azad and Mr. Dhavan held a series of meetings with party MLAs, UDF leaders, topping it with a special luncheon session at the Industry-IT Minister, P. K. Kunhalikutty's residence. The lunch was attended by the Chief Minister, A. K. Antony, the Finance Minister, K. Sankaranarayanan, the IUML all-India General Secretary, E. Ahmed, the IUML Ministers who were in town.

The AICC observers also met the Congress Deputy Leader, M. P. Gangadharan, the Chief Whip, P. P. George, the Electricity Minister, Kadavoor Sivadasan, the Health Minister, P. Sankaran, all of whom owe allegiance to Mr. Karunakaran. The Karunakaran MLAs had earlier planned to meet the AICC observers as a delegation to inform them of their decision to support the rebel candidate. But this move was dropped on the basis of the advice they received about the futility of such an exercise.

The observers also met the representatives of the Kerala Congress(Jacob), KC (B) and the RSP(B), who are known to sympathise with Mr Karunakaran. The statements of these three parties only reflected their dilemma in taking a decision on their course of action in what could be a classical yet decisive election as far as the future of the UDF coalition is concerned. It also reflected their political imperatives of protecting their parties'' interests.

The Karunakaran MLAs, who met at Mr. Karunakaran's residence in the morning could not agree with his views that the faction should sit as a separate block in the Assembly. They were hesitant to sign the letter to inform the Speaker about this decision, though they did not mind signing a joint statement attesting to their resolve to vote for Mr. Karunakaran's nominee, Mr. Kodoth Govindan Nair and submit the statement to the AICC observers. This move was also later dropped.

What emerged out of the confusion was the reluctance of many Karunakaran MLAs to push matters beyond the cliff. This did give some hopes that the sailing would be smooth for the official candidates. Mr. Karunakaran apparently is banking on the consolidation of his MLAs, besides expecting additional votes from some of the UDF partners who are not well disposed to the Chief Minister's attitude towards them. These leaders did not conceal their rancour about the raw deal they have been receiving from the current leadership when they met the AICC observers earlier in the day.

Mr. Antony appeared to confident that the official candidates would win the elections as he believed that the Karunakaran MLAs would not push their luck beyond a point.

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