Sonia’s balancing act: ‘I’ leader is acting KPCC chief

Thankachan would take the place of K. Muraleedharan, who has been inducted into the state Cabinet. A staunch Karunakaran loyalist, Thankachan is a former minister and Assembly Speaker. His appointment is part of the compromise deal suggested by the AICC core group led by Pranab Mukherjee, sources said. The announcement had been delayed as the high command wanted to watch how the pact was working after Murali’s swearing-in. His moderate statements as minister have encouraged the high command to push forward the deal, AICC sources said.

Pillai, a Rajya Sabha member, had to resign from the post of KPCC president to pave way for Muraleedharan in 2001. It was part of a sudden deal to pacify the ‘I’ group when ‘A’ group leader A.K. Antony was made Chief Minister.

AICC sources said the high command is also trying to give representation to different religious groups and communities. AICC strategists hope the appointments will satisfy the ‘I’ group but Karunakaran has appeared indifferent to the developments. Karunakaran’s other demands — a Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha seat for daughter Padmaja Venugopal and revoking the suspension of rebel RS candidate Kodoth Govindan Nair — may also be considered, if Antony and UDF convener Oommen Chandy don’t object, sources said.

The appointment of Murali and Pillai has addressed to an extent the complaint of under-representation of the Hindu community in the party set-up, sources said. With Antony, Chandy and Thankachan in major posts, all major Christian groups have been represented.

The party high command is also trying to contact various group leaders and provide new sops, sources said. Fresh channels of communication have been opened up with Chandy, who had expressed ‘‘regrets over inaction against Murali’’, sources said.

While anticipating that Karunakaran would make many demands during the seat allotment process, the high command is toying with the idea of offering an honourary post to him to keep him happy.