M A I N   N E W S

Rebels step up drive against Antony

Thiruvananthapuram,  December 13
With veteran Congress leader K. Karunakaran returning to the state capital from New Delhi today, the ‘I’ faction within the Kerala unit intensified its campaign for the removal of Chief Minister A.K. Antony.

“We have not put forward any other demand like a Cabinet reshuffle to resolve the crisis,” Mr Karunakaran told mediapersons at his residence, giving a clear signal to the party high command that nothing short of a leadership change would be acceptable to him.

He claimed that the Congress high command was willing to discuss the issue of a leadership change now.

Asked whether they would explore the option of forming an alternative government with the support of Left parties, his reply was, “wait and see.”

The ‘I’ faction suffered a major setback last month when they failed to muster the support of 31 MLAs to stake claim before the governor to form an alternative government with the help of 40 opposition MLAs in the 140-member House.

Meanwhile, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President K. Muraleedharan made it clear at Kottayam that the only solution to the present problem within the party was a leadership change.

“The party will face a bitter defeat in Kerala if we face the next Lok Sabha elections under the leadership of Mr Antony,” he said. — UNI, PTI

Consultation still on, says Ahmed Patel

Reacting to Mr Karunakaran’s statement, AICC General Secretary and in charge of Kerala affairs Ahmed Patel said in New Delhi that it was not true that the party leadership was now ready for change of leadership in the state.

“Consultations are still on,” he said.

“What Mr Karunakaran had stated has come as a surprise to me. I do not know anything about it,” he added.