Karunakaran on way to Delhi to meet Sonia

In a clear gesture of appeasement, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today spoke to sulking Kerala unit leader K. Karunakaran. This is being s...

In a clear gesture of appeasement, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today spoke to sulking Kerala unit leader K. Karunakaran.

This is being seen as the second sign of reconciliation by the high command during the Kerala crisis. The first was sending senior leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and R.K. Dhawan to the state as observers at the recent Rajya Sabha elections.

Rebels take BJP help, get
Rajkot Mayor’s post

GANDHINAGAR/AHMEDABAD: The Congress seems to be losing grip over its rank and file in Gujarat. On Friday, Congress rebel councillors had Mansukh Chavda elected Mayor in Rajkot with support from the BJP. They also had their candidates elected to the posts of Dy Mayor and standing committee member. In the Ahmedabad mayoral election, the party did manage to retain control, but only after getting the high command to issue a directive that Aneesa Mirza be made mayor. The directive from AICC general secretary Kamal Nath had also asked the state Congress to see juniors were nominated to key posts. —ENS

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Sources in the AICC say that during the conversation, which took place early today, Sonia invited Karunakaran to Delhi for talks. On the conversation, Karunakaran told The Indian Express, ‘‘I am going to be in Delhi on April 21 and will return to Kerala on April 24. I do not know yet if I will be meeting the party president during this time.’’

As to what was discussed during the conversation, he said: ‘‘There has not been any new decision. I will decide once I return to Kerala on April 24.’’

However, there was a clear toning down of the hostilities from the Karunakaran camp today in the wake of the dialogue.

This is also being seen as part of the ‘‘course of action’’ recommended by Azad, Dhawan, and the general secretary in charge of Kerala Ambika Soni to the party president. Sources said Dhawan had talked to Karunakaran before Sonia’s conversation today.

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The options before the high command have been the sacking of Muraleedharan for inept handling of the elections, showcause notices to the MLAs who defied the whip or a general warning to the state unit to stick to discipline.

Over 21 party MLAs defied the party whip to vote for the rebel candidate. But Muraleedharan pointed out that none of these MLAs meant it as an affront to the high command.

Meanwhile, 21 MLAs can constitute a split in the party in the Kerala Assembly, which has been the main reason why the CM A.K. Antony is stressing that there should be no action against anyone.

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