Prior to the impending organizational elections, the leaders of the two rival factions in the All Kerala Chemists and Druggists Association (AKCDA) have begun discussions on the possibility of a merger between the two groups.

The first round of negotiations was held at Kozhikode on October 3, in which leaders and senior members of both the groups attended. The next round of talks will be held at the AKCDA Bhavan at Thrissur on October 6.

According to sources in the traders’ body, the negotiating process was initiated jointly by the former president of AKCDA, Abdul Gafoor and the general secretary, Antony Tharian in a bid to resolve the five-year old dispute between the two factions.

It is learnt that election is likely to be held in the last week of next month, for which the court appointed advocate commissioner will declare the dates soon after the scrutiny of the voters’ list is completed, said Tharian.

On July 25 this year, the Kerala High Court had issued an order directing the advocate commissioner A Balagopal to initiate and complete the process of electing the representatives within three months. Elections are to be conducted from the sub units in lowest level to the district level, and finally for the state leaders.

This is the second time this year the group leaders are meeting for a settlement of issues, the first one was held on March 1 at Thrissur, and later on March 23. In the end of the meetings, the leaders signed an agreement with regard to the reunification and future course of action. But, the agreement could not be implemented due to differences of opinion among district level office-bearers.

As per the March agreement, all criminal and civil litigations filed by each group against the other will be withdrawn from the courts. Besides, the cases of embezzlement of funds filed against former AKCDA president A N Mohan will also be withdrawn. The office buildings in each district headquarter and the state office at Ernakulam will be jointly shared by both the groups as members of same organization. But this agreement was not welcomed by the district level leaders.

After a gap of six months, the leaders of both the factions have now started discussions for an amicable solution.

The meeting on October 3 was attended by Abdul Gafoor, Ramesh Kamath, Milton J and K Sivadas representing AKCDA and AN Mohan representing opposite faction.