Thiruvananthapuram : Crisis within Kerala Congress deepens, as party veteran PJ Joseph announced party's Legislture Party members, keeping all those from Jose K Mani faction out.
In the new state of affairs, Joseph is the legislature party chairman, CF Thomas the Dy Chairman, Mons Joseph, the secretary-cum-whip.
The move comes after Jose K Mani's plea challenging lower court order against his chairmanship, was dismissed by a court in Kattappana on Friday.
At Assembly hall in the capital, 3 out of 5 MLAs of Kerala Congress(M) belonging to Joseph faction informed the speaker of their new positions. The two other legislators present countered this, claiming that no such appointments were made. The duo submitted their argument in writing to the speaker.
Jose K Mani and Chazhikadan represent the Jose vacation, practically splitting the party into two. The present break-up is viewed as fallout from intense infighting that preceded Pala by-poll.
Jose move himself out, no need to oust - Joseph
Thiruvananthapuram : Joseph, at a press conference said, the court verdict ruled entirely in his favour and that all of Jose'sclaims were dismissed as baseless.
He went on to suggest that more members from Jose faction are likely to return.
Kerala Congress(M) is a singular party and Jose who moved out on his own does not have to be ousted, Joseph said.
Blow to Joseph - Jose
Kottayam : Jose meanwhile claimed that Joseph has taken a hit in terms of Kattappana court verdict. The order is misinterpreted to propagate lies, he claimed.
The court order is only critical of the procedure adopted to elect chairman and categoricaly states that Joseph, holding working chairman position in the party, cannot officiate function as chairman, Jose said.
