Have no objection towards Uma Thomas, claim that Jo Joseph is church’s candidate is wrong; Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany clarifies stance

KOCHI: The objection we had for P T Thomas is not there for his wife Uma Thomas, the UDF candidate in Thrikkakkara constituency, said Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany. We had opposed P T Thomas because of his stance in the Gadgil report, archbishop said.

The claim that Jo Joseph is a candidate of the church is wrong, he said while talking to a private channel. The leaders need not bar priests from talking politics. Let the believers vote as per their conscience, he added.

Meantime, UDF candidate Uma Thomas and LDF candidate Jo Joseph will submit their nominations on Monday. Jo Joseph will arrive at the collectorate by 11 am and Uma Thomas by 11.45 am to submit the nomination. BJP candidate A N Radhakrishnan will file his nomination on Tuesday.

Nominations for the bypolls can be submitted till May 11. The scrutiny will take place on May 12. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is May 16. The by-election is scheduled on May 31 and counting of votes will take place on June 3.