NCP to maintain separate identity: Muraleedharan

Kozhikode, Oct 29 (UNI) Ending speculation of a merger with the parent party - Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Kerala unit President K Muraleedharan today said the party will maintain its separate identity in the State.

''Forget about merger, we will not even enter into an alliance with that party,'' he told reporters at a function to inaugurate the NCP leadership camp here.

He said those who have deserted the party to return to the Congress camp were engaged in a false propaganda on the issue.

On senior NCP leader and his father K Karunakaran reportedly favouring his return to the Congress, Mr Muraleedharan said ''he will not go back with the consent of the party rank and file.'' However, he said Mr Karunakaran would make his stance clear on the issue in a day or two.

UNI