Congress dissidents in Kerala hold huge rally

Rebuffing Congress High Command directives against holding rebel rallies, veteran party leader K. Karunakaran and his son K. Muraleedharan yesterday held the first of three proposed rallies.

Tens of thousands of party activists took part in the rally held here amid reports that Muraleedharan had been suspended from the party.

District Congress Committee office bearers abstained from the rally fearing disciplinary action and most of them have reportedly distanced themselves from the Congress 'I' group led by the father and son.

The 'I' group leadership had exempted MLAs belonging to the group from the rally also due to fear of disciplinary action.

Karunakaran and Muraleedharan have also vowed to hold rallies in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.

Addressing thousands of cheering party workers who came from six northern districts, Karunakaran said the Chandy Government's days were numbered. He said he was the person behind the rallies and dared the official leadership to take action against him. "I throw this challenge to Chandy," he said.

Muraleedharan, who also spoke in the rally, said he would not be cowed down by threats of disciplinary action. "I will continue to criticise the wrongdoings of Chandy," he said. The factional divisions in the party have created deep chasms with the high command suspending former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Muraleedharan from the primary membership of the party late on Tuesday night.

The suspension came after Muraleedharan openly defied the high command directive not to hold the proposed rebel rallies.

The father and son were undaunted by the action and said that they would continue their battle against Chandy come what may. Speaking to newsmen here, an angry Karunakaran said: "If I am alive, the rallies will be held."

But the hardened stance of the high command has caused jitters within the Karunakaran camp and several top leaders, including District Congress Committee chiefs and MLAs, are trying to distance themselves from the rebellious duo.

They are afraid that the high command would take tougher action in the days to come if they openly side with the rebels.

Congress circles said that further disciplinary action was expected against Muraleedharan and even against the ageing Karunakaran if they go ahead with the rallies.

Meanwhile, 16 Congress MLAs who belong to the Karunakaran faction sent a fax message to Congress President Sonia Gandhi urging her to withdraw the suspension order served on Muraleedharan.

At the same time, loyalists of Chandy and detractors of the father-son duo rallied behind the high command and said that it was high time that action was taken against the dissidents.

Former chief minister A.K. Antony's was the lone voice pleading for moderation and patience.