Mohsina arrives in Kerala; declines comment on Karunakaran issue

Kochi, Nov 3 (UNI) AICC general secretary in-charge of Kerala Mohsina Kidwai arrived here today amid renewed speculation about the return of estranged veteran leader K Karunakaran to the party fold.

Declining to comment on the issue on her arrival here, Ms Kidwai said she has to first talk to the state level leaders, including Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Oommen Chandy, about the party affairs.

Ms Kidwai, who is visiting Kerala for the first time since being given charge of the state recently, is scheduled to address a party leadership camp party later today.

Meanwhile, echoing the remarks of Defence Minister A K Antony yesterday, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Mr Chandy today said that any decision on the Karunakaran issue would be taken by the party high command.

Talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the two-day leadership camp, Mr Ravi said the state unit will go by the decision of the party high command. Asked about his opinion, he said that he had no personal opinion on the matter.

Mr Chandy said that there was no controversy in the Congress about the return of Mr Karunakaran and it was for the party high command to take a decision.

Recent statements by Mr Karunakaran, who is at present with the NCP, praising Mrs Sonia Gandhi's ''efficient leadership'', had sparked speculation about the return of the ''leader'' to the Congress.

UNI