NCP-DIC(K) merger ''internal party matter'':NCP

Kochi, Nov 11 (UNI) Despite reservations voiced by some partners of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, its constituent Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is going ahead with its decision to merge with the Democratic Indira Congress.

The DIC(K) will formally merge with the NCP at a ''merger convention'' at the Marine Drive at 1600 hrs tomorrow.

Asked about the reservations expressed by some constituents of the LDF, such as the CPI, to the proposed merger, NCP national General Secretary Pithambaran Master told UNI here today that this was an ''internal matter of the NCP''.

''The LDF need not either welcome or object to the proposed merger as this is an internal matter of the NCP. Also, the earlier objections were about accepting the DIC(K) as a partner of the LDF.

However, after tommorow's merger, there will be no DIC(K), only the NCP, which has been a part of the LDF for a long time,'' Mr Pithambaran Master added.

The CPI, which had successfully scuttled a move by a section of the CPM to ally with Mr Karunakaran for the assembly elections earlier this year, had reportedly opposed the NCP-DIC(K) merger on the grounds that it would amount to a ''backdoor entry'' for Mr Karunakaran and his son into the LDF.

Asked if the merger would create problems for the NCP in the LDF, Mr Pithambaran Master said there would be no problems within the LDF. ''The NCP has been a constituent of the LDF for a long time and it will continue to remain so,'' he added.

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