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Karunakaran quits as CWC invitee
Angry over denial of ticket to daughter

Thiruvananthapuram, April 7
Angry over the denial of tickets to his supporters, including his daughter Ms K. Padmaja, to the coming Assembly elections in Kerala, senior party leader K. Karunakaran, MP, today announced his decision to quit as permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee (CWC).

He told a press conference here that “it seems the leadership has lost faith in me and, therefore, there is no point in continuing.”

Mr Karunakaran said he had already sent his resignation to the Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, and there was no question of withdrawing it under any circumstances.

Mr Karunakaran said he was extremely hurt that despite being a loyal Congress worker for the past 68 years, he was not given an audience with party President, Ms Gandhi, to air his grievances.

Norms had been applied only in the selection of candidates belonging to his group whereas Mr Antony got a clean walk over getting most of his nominees selected, Mr Karunakaran alleged.

Squarely blaming CWC member A.K. Antony for the present crisis in the party, he said, “The selection process was stage-managed.

It was pre-planned and not on any constituency was I consulted. They were using me only as a troubleshooter when disputes arose,” he said.

Asked about the reported statement by the AICC General Secretary Ramesh Chennithala that Mr Karunakaran should be removed from the Congress for speaking against the party high command, the latter challenged “let me see what they can do”.

Mr Karunakaran, visibly upset over the treatment meted out to him, said it was the duty of party high command to intervene in such matters. “I am very unhappy that they did not do their duty,” he added.

Stating that his experience in New Delhi was very disgraceful, Mr Karunakaran said he would never forget it.

Accusing Mr Antony for the present troubles in the party over the selection of candidates, Mr Karunakaran said the general presumption that Mr Antony would be the next Chief Minister if the UDF came to power was not correct.

The front’s nominee for the chief ministership would be chosen by the elected MLAs, Mr Karunakaran said, adding that he would not favour Mr Antony for the post. PTI