Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 5 (IANS) Former Kerala chief minister K. Karunakaran’s hopes of returning to the Congress were dashed as Mohsina Kidwai, the party’s general secretary in charge of the state, Monday ruled out a meeting with the veteran.
“That is not at all on my agenda and it is not an issue before the party high command at the moment either,” Kidwai told reporters at the party headquarters, when asked about a possible meeting with Karunakaran.
“I have been here for the past two days and I attended two party camps and am pleased to see that there is a strong unity and discipline prevailing in the party,” added Kidwai.
She was flanked by leader of opposition in the assembly Oommen Chandy and state party president Ramesh Chennithala, who both appeared pleased when she said that Karunakaran’s return was not on the party’s agenda.
The 82-year-old politician had quit the Congress two years ago to launch his own outfit, but he and his supporters later joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
Rumours were rife in recent weeks that he was planning to return to the Congress fold.