NCP-DIC(K) merger deferred

Kozhikode, Sep 13 (UNI) A final decision on the proposed merger between the Nationalist Congress Party and the Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran) would be taken up by the month end, top leaders of both the parties said.

Talking to newspersons after a meeting with DIC (K) founder-leader K Karunakaran here last night, NCP president Sharad Pawar said a final decision on the merger issue would be taken after detailed deliberatons at the party's national council scheduled to meet at Dehradun on Septmber 17 and 18.

DIC (K) president K Muraleedharan was also present.

He said the NCP, a partner in the United Progressive Alliance at the Centre and the CPI(M) led Left Democratic Front in Kerala will have to consult the coalition partners also in this regard.

He, however said, there was every possibility of the party of Mr Karunakran, who stood by the principles of the Congress throughout his life, merging with the NCP.

The NCP executive committee held in Kochi on September 8 had already approved the merger formula and had entrusted Mr Pawar to work out the modalities on the issue.

The decision of the DIC (K) to go ahead with the merger proposal had resulted into a rebellion in the party with many top leaders, including P Sankaran, V Balaram and D Sugathan, deciding to quit.

However, Mr Karunakaran said the party would take the rank and file into confidence before the merger took place.

Meanwhile, Senior Congress leader and former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today welcomed the DIC (K) workers opposed to the merger to the parent organisation stating that they would be accommodated appropriately.

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