Aluva: Discussions between leaders of
Congress and Kerala Congress (Mani) failed to resolve the
differences between them over the proposed merger of Kerala
Congress (Joseph) with KC (M).
"Leaders of both the parties agreed to disagree," UDF
convenor P P Thankachan, who was part of the discussions, told
reporters.
While Congress leaders feel Kerala Congress(M), a UDF
constituent, should have held discussions with the front
before taking a decision on the merger, KC(M) leaders have
held that the merger decision was an internal matter of the
constituent and there was no need to discuss it with the UDF.
Thankachan, Opposition leader in the assembly Oommen
Chandy, Kerala PCC President Ramesh Chennithala and Kerala
Congress (M) leaders -- K M Mani and P C George participated in
the discussions.
Leaders of Congress and KC(M), who were meeting for the
first time to discuss the merger issue, decided not to air
their views publicly on the issue with the media.
Both parties also decided to cooperate wholeheartedly to
ensure the success of `betrayal day` being observed tomorrow
by the UDF, protesting against the price rise.
Thankachan said discussions would be held with coalition
parties on convening a meeting of the front this month itself.
To a query, he said no discussions were held today on
seat sharing.
The two Kerala Congress factions have decided to merge on
May 27. Kerala Congress (J) was hitherto with the CPI(M) led
Left Democratic Front.
PTI
