Signs of thaw in Kerala Congress follow fresh talks in New Delhi

The latest round of talks between the Congress high command and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President K. Muraleedharan have paved the way for solving the long simmering group war in the State unit, according to party sources here.

The high command is finalising a formula to end the impasse without conceding veteran leader K. Karunakaran's demand for ousting A.K. Antony from the post of Chief Minister and assigning an important ministerial berth to Muraleedharan in a Cabinet reshuffle, the sources said, adding that the final solution would come before the State Assembly would meet on January 15.

The climax of the countless rounds of meetings with the high command would be talks between Karunakaran and Antony in Kerala or Bangalore, they said.

The high command decision to hold talks with Kaunakaran and Antony together is seen as a face-saving tactic for both Antony and Muraleedharan. Karunakaran has already expressed his willingness to continue his talks with the high command, according to Muraleedharan.

Observers point out that ordinary workers of the rival Congress camps are sore that their longstanding demands are being sidelined in the final formula. Karunakaran supporters are unhappy that their demand for removal of Antony has been buried deep. The Karunakran foes are also upset that their demand for disciplinary action against Muraleedharan has been rejected and he is being rewarded with a higher position.

While shaping up the final formula, the high command might reserve the post of KPCC chief to the Karunakaran's 'I'‚ group itself. The proposal to take back some positions of power from other United Democratic Front (UDF) constituents and give them to the rival factions in the Congress would also be considered.

Speculations are that Karunakaran would drop his demand for the ouster of Antony if Muraleedharan got the post of Deputy Chief Minister or Home or Finance portfolio.

Muraleedharan, who arrived at the Karippur airport after the Delhi talks, drove straight to Panakkad to meet Indian Union Muslim League supremo Shihab Thangal to brief him on the latest developments. Muraleedharan said during the talks, Thangal stressed the need for solutions to developments that hurt the feelings of Muslims.

The Congress high command has also asked Antony to meet Thangal with a view to removing the adverse impressions in the Muslim community created by his recent statement that minority communities were resorting to pressure tactics to make undue gains.