KOTTAYAM: There is anxiety in the UDF on whether the disputes in Kerala Congress regarding the candidature of P J Joseph in Kottayam constituency would be a setback for the UDF. The disputes in the Kerala Congress are seen seriously, said UDF convenor Benny Behanan. The UDF will immediately intervene in the dispute. Meantime, former chief minister Oommen Chandy said the disputes in the Kerala Congress will end soon. As soon as I reach the state, will intervene in the issue. Being an MLA, cannot contest in the Lok Sabha polls, he added.

Meantime, the dispute in the Kerala Congress is becoming worse. Kerala Congress Kozhikode district secretary P M George has resigned after alleging that seat was denied for Joseph to help the CPM. Fielding a candidate who was twice defeated is aimed at helping the CPM. This is part of a move to settle the corruption cases against K M Mani and his son Jose K Mani’s Saritha case. Joseph will soon meet the media to announce other things.

However, Kerala Congress (Mani) chairman K M Mani said Thomas Chazhikadan was made the candidate instead of P J Joseph after considering the sentiments of activists. Discussions were held at the steering committee convened the other day to field P J Joseph. Following that, leaders and activists from parliament constituencies had met Mani at his house in Pala.