It would be a 'great ingratitude' if the people of Kerala in general and Congress workers in particular, did not remember Karunakaran, he said, inaugurating the 94th birthday celebrations of the late leader.
Karunakaran had taken up the party's leadership in 1967 when political commentators had written off the Congress in Kerala as it had secured only nine seats in the then 133-strong assembly in the polls, Antony said.
The minister said though the CPI-M-led front had majority in the Assembly, it could not complete its full term and after 2.5 years, it was dissolved following its "fissiparous tendencies".
Karunakaran as an Opposition leader had exposed the LDF governance in those days, Antony said.
The sincere efforts made by Karunakaran based at Kerala House in Delhi after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi to find out a leader for the party was still remembered by Congress leaders even today, he said.
Antony said though he had difference of opinion on certain issues when he led a group of Congressmen, with Karunakaran, "we were together in protecting and promoting Indian National congress in spite of media's assessment that Karunakaran and Antony were at loggerheads'.
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Karunakaran's 'acumen and brilliance' in solving a crisis smoothly either in the party or in the administration was worthy of emulation for all in the country, both young and old leaders alike, he added.
Kerala PCC President Ramesh Chennithala presided.