Cong tries reading Karuna mind

The Congress high command seems to be in a dilemma over its stance towards K. Karunakaran. The former Kerala chief minister is obviously pit...

The Congress high command seems to be in a dilemma over its stance towards K. Karunakaran. The former Kerala chief minister is obviously pitching in for an expulsion by the party leadership rather than a peaceful exit by quitting his Rajya Sabha membership.

According to party sources, by announcing 8216;8216;his decision to resign and then not resigning, he is obviously asking for expulsion8217;8217;. When asked why is the party is reluctant to expel him, now that he has floated his own outfit, a leader said: 8216;8216;If we expel him, he would retain his membership of the Upper House.8217;8217; If both sides get into a war of nerves, the Congress would have to go through the tedious path of seeking his disqualification.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi today convened a meeting of senior leaders at her residence to take stock of the Kerala situation. Her political secretary Ahmed Patel, who is in charge of Kerala, said the formation of the new party by Karunakaran 8216;8216;was expected8217;8217;. 8216;8216;When we expelled Muraleedharan, we knew something of this sort would happen,8217;8217; he said. As for its impact, Patel felt that 8216;8216;there would not be any internal sabotage now, which has been weakening the organisation for long in the state. The party will be united and will come out strongly8217;8217;. Patel, however, flayed Karunakaran for using Indira Gandhi8217;s name.

AICC general secretary Ambika Soni also had a similar view. 8216;8216;Let Muraleedharan form a party in his name, then it would be known how many people are with him,8217;8217; she said, adding leaders often leave Congress to form a new party but return after failing to get support.

Both leaders were careful enough so as to not appear harsh towards Karunakaran. Patel dubbed the former CM8217;s new course 8216;8216;unfortunate8217;8217;, while Soni said 8216;8216;such a step to weaken the party was not expected from a senior leader like him8217;8217;.

The Congress leadership may put up a bold face, but the fact remains Karunakaran8217;s exit would make it more vulnerable in Kerala. There is a hint of the party opting for a more effective Nair to replace PCC chief Thenala Balakrishna Pillai to counter Karunakaran8217;s appeal among high-caste Hindus. Two names which have gained currency are Ramesh Chennithala, permanent invitee to CWC, and former minister G. Karthikeyan. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is learnt to be in favour of Karthikeyan.

Congress leaders feel that the Karunakaran faction may cosy up to LDF for a seat adjustment. NCP leader Sharad Pawar has also offered to lobby for him on this count. However, a senior Congress leader said: 8216;8216;The LDF may not be inclined to accommodate Karunakaran8217;s claims for seats when it is expected to win anyway.8217;8217;

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Karunakaran8217;s original strength in CLP in the present House of 140 is 27. That may be the bottomline for him for bargaining in future.