THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amidst the tension between K.M. Mani and P.J. Joseph in the Kerala Congress (M) regarding Lok Sabha seat, the UDF has called for a bilateral discussion today at Kochi. UDF leadership, however, says that the differences within the Kerala Congress (M) won’t affect UDF.

Congress won’t favor any talks that take Joseph out of the front. Other small allies also share the same opinion. IUML wants a solution that doesn’t harm either party. If there are no other ways, Congress will put up an opinion that favors Joseph as the candidate from Kottayam. However, it has to be seen how Mani responds to this.

When Mani was in a state of quarrel with the UDF, it was Joseph who acted as the key person in solving the issue.

IUML leaders met had already met with Joseph and Mani to resolve the seat sharing issue. Johnny Nelloor, the Kerala Congress-Jacob group leader and UDF secretary, met P.J. Joseph yesterday.