The two estranged factions of the All Kerala Chemists and Druggists Association (AKCDA) are likely to merge shortly following discussions in this regard carried out by the leaders of both the groups in Kerala. According to information received, the merger meeting will take place after the local body elections in the state, which are slated for 23rd and 25th of this month.

If the merger takes place in October, this year’s national convention of  AIOCD will be held in Kerala in December as agreed by Dr JS Shinde, president of the organization, it is learnt. Sources in the apex body said that Shinde is also taking efforts to bring the two groups together. He is likely to attend the next joint meeting to be held at Thrissur on October 30.

Sources in Thrissur told Pharmabiz that it was the group led by Abdul Gafoor and Antony Tharian initiated the discussions for a come back. The outcome of the preliminary discussion is that the rival faction (Gafoor and Tharian) would withdraw from filing petition in the Supreme Court requesting for a speedy disposal of the alleged fund misappropriation case against A N Mohanakurup, the leader of other faction.

The preliminary discussion was attended by Mohanakurup, the president of AKCDA and its general secretary, K Sivasankaran Nair, and from the rival side, Abdul Gafoor and Antony Tharian. According to sources, the members of both the groups have welcomed the initiatives took by the leaders for a merger of factions for the cause of trading community.

While speaking to Pharmabiz, an office-bearer of one group said Antony Tharian had approached his rival Mohanakurup last month for an amicable settlement of the issues that had emerged during the tenure of Mohanakurup as president of AKCDA in 2007-08. The office-bearer further said Tharian group was enjoying the support of CPM and the LDF government of Kerala, whose period is expiring after six months. Since there is chance for a congress-led government shortly, the group led by Tharian may lose the political support and his faction cannot be able to stand alone and therefore he wants to come into the main fold, commented the office-bearer.

The faction feud in the organization began in December 2007 following certain allegations of financial irregularities committed by the then president of AKCDA, Mohanakurup. During that period he was holding the position of national president of AIOCD also. The allegations were later taken into court which led the removal of him from both the positions. The members who stood against him later formed one group, with Gafoor and Tharian as president and secretary, who further started claiming their group as the original one.

In Kerala, there are more than13,000 licensed chemists and druggists including retailers and wholesalers. Both the groups claim majority. K Sivasankaran Nair, the secretary of the official group said rival faction enjoys only 5 percent of the wholesalers and 99 percent of the retailers are with his organization. He further said that his organization is the registered unit in Kerala and is recognized by the apex body. The state committee had conducted elections in all districts and committees were formed. Further he said the rival group’s secretary, Antony Tharian cannot be claimed as a member of AKCDA as he had been expelled from the organization on November 3, 2008 for some serious offences.

When contacted some chemists, they said because of faction feud, the manufacturers are taking advantage of the situation. They are selling the products without any price control and even they cannot be controlled.