Candidate to be announced today, to contest in leaf symbol itself, says Jose K Mani

KOTTAYAM: Jose K Mani MP said the UDF candidate for the Pala by-polls will be announced today itself. He also said they will contest in the party symbol (two leaves) itself. Meantime, Nisha Jose K Mani, wife of Jose K Mani, is unlikely to contest, senior Kerala Congress (M) leader P J Joseph said.

P J Joseph's faction has taken a strong stand not to give up the party symbol. He sought more time to decide the candidate and said discussions are not complete on the candidature. However, discussions are progressing and most probably the candidate will be announced this evening itself, said Jose K Mani.

Joseph had asserted the symbol will be permitted only to the successful candidate. The main discussion at the meet to be held by UDF leaders today will be on the symbol.

The candidate will be announced after the meet convened with the participation of KPCC chief Mullappally Ramachandran, AICC general secretary Oommen Chandy and opposition leader Ramesh Chennnithala. A sub panel led by Thomas Chazhikadan will inform the UDF leaders the name of the candidate by noon.