Sunday, May 1 2005 12:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Thrissur: Dissident Congress leader K Karunakaran today (May 1, 2005) floated a new party splitting the Congress in Kerala. The Party will be known as National Congress-Indira.

K. Muraleedharan is the president of the party. Karukaran made the announcement at the workers' convention of his faction in Thrissur.

The new party's tricolour flag has the charkha and picture of Indira Gandhi as symbols.

Karunakaran had earlier today said that he would carry on with his efforts to cleanse the party in the State of 'impurities' that have crept in and came down heavily on Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the present Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) leadership, but refrained from making any critical remarks against All India Congress Committee (AICC) chief Sonia Gandhi.

The faction's future course will be declared by Karunakaran after the convention adopts the political and economic resolutions.

"You will have to face many difficulties in the coming days. But, drawing inspiration from the Congress ideals and firm commitment of the workers, we will go ahead," the senior leader said in his inaugural address to his faction's State-level workers' convention in Thrissur.

"This is the time to form a new organization. By that, I mean, to go ahead by cleansing the organization of all the impurities that have crept into it," he said.

While steering clear of any adverse remarks against Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, Karunakaran lambasted the Oommen Chandy Government and the KPCC, led by Thennala Balakrishna Pillai.

"There is no question of ditching you. With your love, affection and sincere support, we will go ahead," he told the party workers.

Karunakaran also recalled his long innings in the party, since the Salt Satyagraha days and said that he would follow the footsteps of the Congress leaders.