Sonia approves Karunakaran re-induction

New Delhi, Dec 31 (UNI) Former Kerala Chief Minister K Karunakaran was today formally re-admitted to the Congress Party which he had served for seven decades till he floated his own political outfit-Democratic Indira Congress-31 months ago.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi today approved the re-induction of Mr Karunakaran, AICC Spokesman Abishek Manu Singhvi told mediapersons at the routine briefing.

The 90-year-old "Leader," as he was affectionately called by his supporters, met Ms Gandhi yesterday and expressed his desire to return to the Congress unconditionally.

Asked what position would be offered to Mr Karunakaran, Dr Singhvi said "all matters of details have to be decided by the Party President and the High Command." "However, as a senior political leader, once he is back in the party, his talents will be utilised for strengthening the party." Ms Gandhi re-admitted Mr Karunakaran despite reservations expressed by a section of the Kerala Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and PCC Chief Ramesh Chennithala, who felt that his return to the party fold would lead to groupism raising its head again.

Though Mr Karunakaran left the Congress Party along with his son and former Pradesh Congress Committee President K Muralidharan, he returned to the party alone.

Mr Muralidharan, who is at present President of the Kerala unit of the Nationalist Congress Party, had already made it clear that he would not follow the footsteps of his father this time.

Mr Karunakaran and Mr Muralidharan together joined the NCP a year ago, after merging the DIC(K) with it.

Mr Karunakaran, a three-time Chief Minister, had expressed his willingness to return to the party three months ago.

However, he was given an appointment with Ms Gandhi after he openly pledged his loyalty and acknowledged her leadership. In fact, Mr Karunakaran had written a letter to Ms Gandhi expressing his desire to return to the party fold.

UNI