Congress-DIC (K) talks progressing, stage set for alliance

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 15 (UNI) The stage is all set for an alliance between breakaway congress leader K Karunakaran's Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran) and the Congress in Kerala for the coming assembly elections with the latter expressing its willingness to ally with any one for defeating the Left.

''The present agenda is to win the elections and the political atmosphere is in favour of the Congress. In this present situation, the Congress will ally with anyone to defeat the Left Democratic Front in the state,'' Pradesh Congress president Ramesh Chennithala told newspersons here.

He said the talks with DIC (K) were progressing and a final decision had not been arrived.

Stressing that there was unity in the Congress and the United Democratic Front in the DIC (K) issue, he said though the Congress has not officially appointed anyone to talk to the DIC(K), they welcome the Indian Union Muslim League's steps in this regard. ''The UDF is for a broader alliance to defeat the leftists,'' he added.

Congress Working Committee member in-charge of Kerala Veerappa Moily today held discussions with DIC (K) president K Muraleedharan and is scheduled to meet Mr Karunakaran in the evening. Mr Moily had yesterday held discussions with the leaders of the Congress and UDF regarding the DIC (K) issue.

Asked if the Congress could go for an alliance or an understanding with the DIC (K), Mr Chennithala said '' the discussions are on and a final solution would come in a few days.'' The list of candidates would be completed by Saturday and would be sent to the Central Screening Committee, he said, adding the list would be finalised by the Central Election Committee.

Lashing out at the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on the SNC Lavalin issue, he said the CPI(M) politburo was also guilty as it was ''protecting those found guilty''.

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