DIC(K) decides to merge with NCP

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 20 (UNI) The Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran) today announced its decision to merge with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), even as NCP supremo Sharad Pawar declared that any decision on the issue will be taken only after consultations with the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala.

''The general body which met today unanimously passed a resolution to merge the DIC (K) with the NCP,'' Party President K Muraleedharan told reporters here after the meeting.

Pointing out that there was no time-frame for the merger, he said the DIC(K) would hold discussions with Mr Pawar and a final decision would be taken very soon.

The resolution was adopted after the general body discussed all aspects concerning the merger, including veteran leader K Karunakaran's meeting with the NCP Chief, Mr Muraleedharan said.

Asked about the Left parties' opposition to the merger, he said the DIC(K) was not concerned as it did not belong to any front in the state. ''The general body has given the green signal and we will go forward with the talks. A decision can be expected very soon,'' he said and asserted that the merger proposal was not based on any condition.

Lashing out at the leaders who resigned from the DIC(K), he said the party did not face any threat and added that these leaders would have had quit even if there was no merger decision.

The DIC(K) had suffered serious erosion in its ranks since last week with the move to merge with NCP.

Meanwhile, the rebel leaders in a state-level convention at Kochi today decided to rejoin the Indian National Congress under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi.

UNI PN VA HT1750