Those with Cong tradition cannot join NCP: KPCC

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 11 (UNI) As the talks for a merger between the Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran) and the Nationalist Congress Party reached the final stage, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala today said those with Congress tradition could not join hands with the party headed by Mr Sharad Pawar.

''It is a mere political joke. How can Mr K Karunakaran who played a crucial role to expel Mr Pawar from the Congress take refuge in NCP,'' he said at a press conference here.

He said those workers and leaders who deserted Congress as part of the groupism would be welcomed to the partyfold. They would be given due recognition in the party, he added.

He said that the Congress party's stand that the DIC(K) had no political significance in Kerala has been proved now.

UNI CR VV AK VV1811