Son slams Karunakaran, says won’t follow him to Congress

Angry over veteran Kerala leader K Karunakaran’s plans to return to the Congress, his son Muraleedharan lambasted him in public...

Angry over veteran Kerala leader K Karunakaran’s plans to return to the Congress, his son Muraleedharan lambasted him in public for the first time saying he had “ditched” his followers and signalled parting of ways.

Muraleedharan, the President of the state unit of NCP, asserted he would not be part of his father’s “political games”, a day after the former Chief Minister asked his followers to get ready to return to the Congress.

“I will no longer be a political fellow-traveller with my father and would remain firmly with the NCP,” Muraleedharan said. “I cannot be a part of this kind of unethical politics,” he told a press conference on Saturday after a meeting of the NCP state executive. Karunakaran and many of his supporters did not attend the meeting.

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Muraleedharan likened Karunakaran’s move to take his followers back to Congress-fold to that of lambs being taken to slaughter. “I keep my love, affection and respect for my father in mind. I would not forget the advantage I derived in my career as Karunakaran’s son. But I cannot be part of his political moves, which do not take the sentiments of the party workers,” he said.

Muraleedharan said the situation that compelled him and his father to quit the parent party three years ago remained unchanged and that he had no faith in the central leadership of the Congress that ditched those who loyally stood by it.

Karunakaran was not invited by anybody to join the Congress, he said, adding that one could imagine the sort of treat in store while going to attend a feast without being invited.