KOTTAYAM: Kerala Congress steering committee handed over the responsibility of selecting a candidate to K M Mani. Mani said that he will deckare a candidate after discussing the matter with leaders in the district.
Working chairman P J Joseph had expressed his interests to contest in the election publicly. He had told that in the parliamentary party meet and steering committee meet. Jose K Mani opposed Joseph in the parliamentary party meet. Joseph said that he does not want to be a minister, when UPA government assumes power. Many leaders from Kottayam had come forward criticising Joseph in the steering committee meeting. Joseph lightened the situation by saying that K M Mani is a father-figure to him. K M Mani was appointed to select the candidate following this.
Joseph faction is still hoping for a positive response from the party. Mani said that he will take a final decision after discussing the matter with state leaders, especially leaders from Kottayam.