Kottayam: In a major splash on the political front, Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani announced plans to partner with LDF, severing longstanding ties with UDF and resigning his post as Rajya Sabha MP. The extraordinary announcement came from Jose K Mani at a press conference held on Wednesday. The switch over is unconditional and reflective of Kerala Congress’s current stand, Jose K Mani told reporters, adding that, other matters shall be informed in due time after discussions with LDF.
KM Mani’s party met with gross humiliation at the hands of Congress not withstanding the fact that, the political stalwart had spent 38 years building UDF as a power front. In trading insults some Congressmen took direct shots at his party and a large populace loyal to it. Certain lobbies in Congress were actively engaged in dismantling the party forever. Ands, they did this by joining hands with PJ Joseph to stab party in the back, said Jose K Mani.
“PJ Joseph tried hard to hijack and take over the party; He insulted me personally while Congress leaders maintained silence on all such occasions thereby helping Joseph more on that count. No one shall remain with KM Mani Sir’s betrayers. And, I shall not stay at a place discounting my self-respect,” said Jose.
UDF ousted Kerala Congress(M) on 29th of June and the party had assumed an independent status ever since until now. KM Mani sir and his devoted voters stood by Congress through all its ups and downs. However, since the supremo’s demise, his party wrestled with humiliation and neglect from UDF. When the party MLA’s faced insults and rebuke at hands of Congressmen inside the Assembly, UDF did not do as little as calling a meeting over the issue, despite complaints made by the party.
As soon as PJ Joseph learnt of KM Mani’s illness, he placed his demand for the Lok Sabha seat. Then, he followed up on that trend asking for the Pala Assembly seat and later for the party’s 2-leaf symbol itself. Joseph went to so far as to asking for the family home to be converted into a museum. Kerala Congress was ousted from UDF merely on a panchayat issue. The pettiness is first of its kind in history.
It has been three months since UDF shoved Kerala Congress out. No talks were initiated toward re-invitation. When the Opposition moved its no-trust motion against the ruling government recently, the none from UDF communicate it to any of his party MLAs, said Jose K Mani. The whole agenda is focused on destroying Kerala Congress as a party, the former MP added.
