Eye on Karuna, CM’s bait for son

‘‘Karunakaran will continue in the party. The discussions with the Chief Minister were about maintaining unity in the party. I am sure that all the problems would be settled soon,’’ Muraleedharan said. ‘‘I have also no personal differences of opinion with the CM,’’ he added. Asked whether he would become a Minister, he said everything would be decided by the party high command. Antony, who played down Karunakaran’s announcement yesterday to float a new party, said that it was an inconsequential family issue within the Congress. ‘‘We all will go together,’’ the Chief Minister said.

It is learnt that Muraleedharan was offered a berth in the Kerala government on the condition that he gets his father’s approval. He has been offered the Health or Power portfolios though Karunakaran had been seeking the important portfolios of Finance or Home.

Meanwhile, UDF Ministers P.K. Kunhalikutty and K.M. Mani today called on Karunakaran. They told reporters that the senior leader would not do anything to damage the party and the ruling UDF. Asked whether they put forward any fresh formula before Karunakaran, the two Ministers said there was no need of it.

Mani said Karunakaran had not taken any final decision about the new party and there was still scope for a patch-up with Antony. Several Congress leaders close to Karunakaran also called on the senior leader.

Though the AICC continues to maintain there would be no dialogue with Karunakaran, indirect efforts are on to keep him from taking the leap.

The ‘‘package’’ Karunakaran seeks includes ministerial berths for his son, a Lok Sabha seat for his daughter Padmaja Venugopal and the appointment of a PCC chief of his choice. Though AICC had said his demands ‘‘cannot be met’’ yesterday, the high command is also aware that the problem can set a dangerous precedent in the country.

The Congress is now waiting for Karunakaran to tone down and accept what the high command has to offer.