CWC member hopeful of Cong-DIC(K) tie-up for assembly poll

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 19 (UNI) Congress Working Committee member Veerappa Moily tonight expressed the hope that the final details of a possible tie-up with the Democratic Indira Congress (K) could be worked out in about-three days even as his second round of discussions with veteran leader K Karunakaran stumbled on the issue of poll symbol.

Talking to newspersons here after a 90-minute meeting with Mr Karunakaran in the presence of Indian Union Muslim League leaders P K Kunhalikutty and E T Mohammed Basheer, Mr Moily said ''We are hopeful of reaching some settlement. But we have to work out more details.'' The final decision would be announced here itself, he said, indicating that further talks would not be held in Delhi.

However, Mr Karunakaran refused to meet the media after the meeting.

According to sources, there was a broad consensus on the number of seats to be allotted to the Democratic Indira Congress (K) in the event of a tie-up with the United Democratic Front for the April-May Assembly polls.

But a section of the Congress leaders were of the strong opinion that the DIC(K) candidates should contest the elections on hand symbol of the Congress, instead of the symbol allotted to that party by the Election Commission.

The sources said such an assurance was necessary to avert any possible revolt by the DIC(K) after the polls.

Earlier, Mr Moily held several rounds of discussions with the Congress leaders to find a solution.

He discussed the details with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala, CWC Member A K Antony and also with leaders of the Indian Union Muslim League, the second largest constituent of the ruling coalition, on whose initiative the efforts were being made to bring back Mr Karunakaran, who left the Congress in May last year to form the DIC(K).

UNI CR KVV HS KP2115