DIC (K) ignores CPI(M) as NCP welcomes it: Karunakaran

Thiruvanathapuram, Sep 15 (UNI) The Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran) was not concerned about the views of Communist Party of India (Marxist) in its merger with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) as the move had been formally welcomed by the NCP, DIC(K) leader K Karunakaran said here today.

Talking to newspersons here, he said, ''The CPI(M) can have any view and take any decision. We are not concerned about it as the NCP had formally welcomed the move.'' The NCP is a partner in the United Progressive Alliance at the Centre and the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front(LDF) in Kerala. The CPI(M) had already made it clear that the DIC(K) was not welcome into the Left Democratic Front.

Mr Pawar had said after his meeting with Mr Karunakaran that he should have to consult the coalition partners before the merger of the former.

However, the leader said any decision of merger with the NCP would be taken only after taking the party workers into confidence.

''The party's general body has been convened on September 20 and a decision will be taken only after discussing the issue with party workers,'' he said.

Stating that the DIC (K) would maintain the status quo till the NCP's National Council at Dehra Dun on September 17 and 18, he said it was now the NCP which had to take a decision on the merger move.

Mr Karunakaran said he had held talks with Agriculture Minister and NCP Chief Sharad Pawar only because of the similar views both the parties had. ''I believe that both the DIC (K) and the NCP have the same views and has the genuine Congress culture.'' UNI PN KVV SI BST1708