New Delhi, Jan 31: Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president K Muraleedharan today resigned from his post to join the A K Antony cabinet as part of a formula worked out to end the crisis in the state unit of the party. The resignation of Muraleedharan, son of former Kerala Chief Minister K Karunakaran, following talks between him and Antony in Thiruvanantharam on Thursday, was announced by Congress spokesman Anand Sharma here.

Sharma told reporters that Muraleedharan would be accommodated as a minister by expanding the 20-member Antony cabinet.
The crisis in the Kerala unit of the Congress had taken a serious turn when Karunakaran had announced his intentions this week to launch a new political outfit.

A breakthrough to end the crisis was reached on Thursday when Muraleedharan held an hour-long meeting with the Chief Minister, who reportedly promised him a portfolio that ''would be equivalent to the status of the post'' he now held.
Bureau Report