Final decision on Karunakaran after Guj poll outcome: Cong

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 18 (UNI) The Congress will take a decision on taking back into the party fold senior leader K Karunakaran after the results of the Gujarat Assembly Elections are declared, Kerala Pradesh Congress President Ramesh Chennithala today said.

''The Congress, as a whole, welcomes Mr Karunakaran to the party.

When he rejoins, the party will be strengthened and move forward with unity,'' he told reporters after the party's executive meeting here.

Briefing the media on the decisions taken at the executive, he said a mass protest would be organised in all Assembly constituencies in the state on December 21 against the ''government's lapses in providing basic facilities to the Sabarimala pilgrims.'' The United Democratic Front (UDF) Leaders would picket the Secretariat on December 22 against the hike in prices of essential commodities.

About 100 'victims' of political clashes in Kannur would hold a fast at Raj Ghat in New Delhi against the increasing incidents of violence in the district. He also asked Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan to call for an all-party meeting for brining peace to the area.

UNI