Kochi, April 7 : Challenging the Congress leadership, former on Minister and senior Congress leader in Kerala K V Thomas on Thursday announced that he will attend the ongoing 23rd CPI(M) Party Congress at Kannur. Talking to the media, Thomas said he conveyed his decision to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and General Secretary Tariq Anwar. Claiming that the CPI(M) Congress was relevant in the present political situation, he said he had prepared notes to be presented at the meeting. Thomas clarified his stand soon after KPCC President K Sudhakaran warned that those who attend the CPI(M) meet will no more be in the Congress. Denying media reports that he was planning to leave the Congress, Thomas said that he will be in the Congress and a decision to oust him can be taken only by the Congress high command. Meanwhile, informed sources said a seminar on ‘Centre-State Relationship’ will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday and Thomas will share the stage with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin. Even Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi had attended several CPI(M) meetings, Thomas added. The Congress had earlier told its MP Shashi Tharoor not to attend the Party Congress. DS MR