Decision on NCP before Thiruvambadi bypoll: CPM leader

Kozhikode, Nov 15 (UNI) A decision on the support of the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress party (NCP) to the Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate in the December four Thiruvambadi bypoll would be taken soon, CPI(M) Kerala State Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan today said.

Talking to newspersons after a meeting with NCP leader T P Peethambaran Master here, he said ''an appropriate decision would be taken before the bypoll,'' caused by the death of CPI(M) member Mathai Chacko.

Refusing to divulge details of the talks between the two, Mr Viayan said ''these were not supposed to be disclosed before the media now.'' A controversy had erupted after the merger of the Democratic Indira Congresss (Karunakaran) with the NCP, a partner of the ruling LDF, with CPI(M) Politburo member and Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan ruling out a patch up with senior leader K Karunakaran, accused of excesses during the Emergency period in the state.

Meanwhile, Mr Peethambaran Master said the NCP, which had a sizeable number following in certain pockets in the constituency, would not cooperate with the LDF if Mr Karuranakaran and the erstwhile DIC(K) President K Muraleedharan were not involved in the electioneering.

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