New Delhi, June 10: Congress today downplayed differences among party leaders in Kerala and expressed confidence that the problem of Karunakaran loyalists gauging up against Chief Minister A K Antony would be resolved through consultations with all the sections. "There have been differences among the party leaders. That is why AICC general secretary in-charge of the state Ahmed Patel is in Kerala to meet everybody. We are confident of resolving the problem", party spokesman Anand Sharma told reporters.

Asked about reported demand of 24 MLAs loyal to senior party leader K Karunakaran demanding change of Chief Minister Antony alleging "total failure" in the last two years of governance, Sharma said: "We are not in a position to comment on public hearing of MLAs...Antony is safe and secure".

To a question if that means Antony as chief minister was not negotiable, Sharma shot back: "We are a democratic party and this is the reason AICC general secretary Patel is there to discuss the matter with everybody and resolve it in the best interests of the party".

Asked whether the "general amnesty" granted by Gandhi to Karunakaran and his loyalist MLAs have now "backfired" once again, he said the party high command had handled Kerala developments then in the best possible manner.

Bureau Report