KOTTAYAM: Kerala Congress M Chairman K M Mani has decided to make Thomas Chazhikkadam the Lok Sabha election candidate from Kottayam.

Mani read out from a sing-line press statement after day-long marathon meeting on Friday with party leaders of Lok Sabha consituencies. It happened at 9:05 pm on Monday.

As soon as it became clear that there is no seat for Joseph, leaders Mons Joseph, T U Kuruvila and other leaders met at Thodupuzha and meeting went past night.

With this, the rumours started doing the rounds that Joseph faction will split away from Mani’s party and he will contest as an independent candidate. Joseph may make his stand clear on Tuesday.

Party Working Chairman Joseph had expressed his wish to contest the election at Parliamentary party meeting and steering committee. Though no others came forward for contesting the election, the meeting had left the matters to the discretion of Mani.

Instead of announcing the candidate’s name, Mani, at his Pala residence, held a meeting of Kottayam leaders who opposed Joseph and reached a consensus not to give any seat to Joseph.
With this the announcement got delayed.
By this time some top Congress leaders had come out to support Joseph, pointing out chances of winning in Kottayam. In between, Congress leader Ooommen Chandy held a meeting with Joseph, soon after which Mani conveyed the message through his confidant Roshy Augustine that Congress leaders need not interfere in the selection of candidates in his party.