The post-election merger of Democratic Indira Congress-K led by K Karunakaran with the Congress was part of the accord that brought back the latter to the United Democratic Front in Kerala, Congress Working Committee member Veerappa Moily said Saturday.
"Yes, it has been stated in the signed agreement that the issue of merger of the two parties would be facilitated after the elections," Moily told a press meet when his attention was drawn to Karunakaran's statement that the possibility of merger would depend on the post-election situation.
Moily, in-charge of party affairs in Kerala, said the situation was more or less similar in 1982 when the faction led by A K Antony returned to the party after remaining outside for a while.
In the 1982 elections, the Antony faction had fought the election on a separate symbol, but merged with the Congress after the polls, he said.
Seeking to downplay the support pledged to the Left Democratic Front by some Muslim outfits like People's Democratic Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, Moily said, "Muslims are natural allies of the UDF in Kerala and the coalition would continue to enjoy their goodwill and support."
The UDF was set to return to power by campaigning on a positive plank of social justice and development, he added.