Cong in Kerala appoints committee to study poll debacle

Thiruvananthapuram, May 25 (UNI) The Congress in Kerala today appointed a committee headed by former PCC chief C V Padmarajan to study the debacle in the Assembly poll, in which it lost power.

Briefing newspersons here after a meeting of the KPCC executive, PCC president Ramesh Chennithala said the committee would look into complaints received from the party's district and constituency level committees regarding the causes of the defeat.

Mere cosmetic change would not revive the party and comprehensive corrective measures were needed. General body meeting of all DCCs would be held from June six, followed by a two-day KPCC executive committee meeting from June 14 for detailed discussions. Asked whether the last minute electoral understanding with the Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran) had benefited the Congress, Mr Chennithala said both the Congress and DIC(K) faced the elections together and he did not want to put the whole blame on someone.

On the reported pre-poll written agreement for the merger of the two parties, he said the issue was not discussed at today's meeting.

UNI CR MIR HT1845