Pawar calls on Karunakaran

Pawar was closeted with Karunakaran at the latter's residence here for nearly 30 minutes and both the leaders were understood to have discussed the political situation.

The meeting assumes significance in the wake of severe factional feud in the party's state unit and likelihood of a split in the state unit.

Karunakaran had yesterday said he was in touch with national-level leaders and gave signals that he may snap ties with the party, saying "a new strengthened Congress" will come into force after the May 1 convention of his faction.

The veteran leader later left for Kerala.