Muraleedharan re-inducted into Congress

New Delhi, Feb 15 (PTI) K Muraleedharan, son of Congressveteran late K Karunakaran, was today admitted into the party,a few years after he parted ways to float a local outfit whichlater merged into the NCP.

The announcement was made by party General SecretaryMohsina Kidwai in the presence of Kerala Congress presidentRamesh Chennithala.

"All are very happy today. Madam Sonia Gandhi has decidedthat Murali would be inducted in the party," Kidwai said.

Earlier, Chennithala and Leader of the Opposition inKerala Assembly Oommen Chandy had met Gandhi.

"Murali will get all the respect he deserves,"Chennithala said.

Muraleedharan''s return to the Congress comes ahead of theelections to the state assembly later this year.

"He has to work for the assembly elections. We are veryconfident that his return would strengthen the party," Kidwaisaid adding that there was no compulsion or force behind themove.

On whether he would be made a candidate in theforthcoming elections, Kidwai said, "I cannot say that."

He had floated a regional outfit Democratic IndiraCongress (Karunakaran) in 2005, which later merged with SharadPawar''s NCP.

Karunakaran had also joined NCP, only to return to theCongress later. He died on December 23.