Kottayam: Another political clash is brewing up in Kerala Congress (M), which is already reeling under tensions between the Joseph faction and Jose K. Mani faction. This time it involves sharing the post of Kottayam district Village Panchayath President between the two warring factions as suggested by Congress party.
The post became vacant after Sunny Pambadi of Congress step down from the post. The post was to go to the Kerala Congress (M). However, things got murkier when both the factions put up their candidates for the post.
Congress party then stepped in with top Congress leaders Oommen Chandy, Ramesh Chennithala, etc. trying to strike a deal between P. J. Joseph and Jose K. Mani. When the talks came to a stalemate the Congress party decided that for eight months the candidate of Mani group will be President and after that the candidate of Joseph group can become President for the remaining part of the tenure, which will be for only six months.
However, P. J. Joseph, has come down heavily on this arrangement. He says that his candidate has the right to become President for the rest of the period. He blamed the Congress for falling for the threats by Jose K. Mani.
He claimed that his faction was strong in Kottayam District and he will prove his strength in the coming days.
P. J. Joseph informed his displeasure to the Congress and Muslim League and told that the Congress should not have done something against their consciousness.
He also warned that this decision will reflect in the coming by-elections, especially in the Pala constituency.
