Pranab makes bid to resolve Kerala Congress crisis

In an attempt to put the Congress house in order ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, a team of senior Congress leaders led by Pranab Mukherjee held discussions with K Karunakaran, sulking leader from Kerala, yesterday to resolve the party crisis in the state following his persistent demand that Chief Minister AK Antony be replaced.

"We had a long discussion to resolve the issue. Talks are continuing and we will further discuss the matter to sort out the problem," Mukherjee told reporters after about 100-minute meeting with Karunakaran at his residence here.

Ahmed Patel, AICC general secretary who is also incharge of Kerala, and another general secretary RK Dhawan, who was appointed to listen to the grievances of the two factions, were also present during the meeting.

Asked if he was carrying any concrete proposal to resolve the crisis, Mukherjee said, "definitely, we suggested some proposals. But we can not disclose it. Whenever it is finalised we will let you know."

Karunakaran said his stand was the same on the issue of change of leadership and would not compromise on any issue which affects the people of the state.

The meeting was inconclusive as Karunakaran had to attend a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home this afternoon, Mukherjee said, adding they would meet again to continue their talks on the issue.

To a query as to how hopeful he was to resolve the crisis, Mukherjee said "we will be able to sort out the problem faced by the state". Karunakaran and his supporters have been demanding removal of Antony.

The party high command had appointed a three-member committee headed by Dhawan to go into the causes of the defeat and report back to it for suitable actions.

Leaders of the two factions including the chief minister and KPCC chief K Muraleedharan and Karunakaran had met party chief Sonia Gandhi and presented their views.