Karunakaran sets a deadline: sack Antony

Incidentally, he stayed away from commenting on the bypoll or the UDF’s prospects. He also spared Sonia Gandhi in his address though her portrait was conspicuous by its absence on the dais decorated by huge frames of Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.

‘‘Two persons can easily find a solution to the issue, Sonia and Antony. In fact, Indiraji warned me on the very same ground two decades ago that Antony would stab me in the back. Today, I realise that her words were true,’’ he said.

‘‘Even today Congress is where Indira’s soul is. Even at this age of 85-plus, I draw inspiration from Indira. Let us join hands in the name of Indira and fight for safeguarding the secular character of our society. Let’s march forward carrying the same flag once held by Nehruji and Indiraji,’’ he said.

‘‘Congress is synonymous with the secular credentials of the country. I am only afraid of the fallout that Antony will have to face for deviating from this path. He now advises that any association with the CPM is dangerous. Antony shouldn’t forget that the high command has adopted a pro-CPM stand to fight the BJP-TDP in Andhra and other States,’’ Karunakaran said.

Addressing the rally, KPCC president K. Muraleedharan said even the UDF partners were for a change of leadership. ‘‘Under Antony, this Government has lost its face. The law and order situation has crumbled. There was an incident of goonda attack right in front of the Chief Minister. And despite a direct order from him, the police have failed to arrest the goondas,’’ he said.

Maintaining that he won’t campaign in Tiruvalla, Murali said there was nothing to present before the voters. ‘‘The Government’s development bus has rusted. It won’t reach Thiruvananthapuram. And least said about the driver, the better,’’ he said.