KOTTAYAM: Factional feud has intensified in the Kerala Congress (Mani) Group. There seems to be no respite to the factional feud in the party over electing the new party chairman and parliamentary party leader.

A drama of expulsion will be witnessed again. Jose K Mani, who is calling for an alternative state committee, looks to make P J Joseph inactive and Joseph has warned that strict action would be taken if called for an alternative committee.

Meantime, P J Joseph has stated that a party meet will be convened before June 9th. Political observers assume that this meeting will not be peaceful.

Though Joseph had called for a meet last Wednesday including both the factions, it did not take place. However, it is heard that Joseph convened a secret meeting in Kochi. Following that, Jose faction convened a meet at the house of K M Mani. Many including district presidents requested Jose to choose the chairman after calling a state committee.

C F Thomas, a close aide of K M Mani did not attend the meet. He said there should be unity in the party. Chairman and others are selected through consensus. The party should not split following brickbats.

Two of the five MLAs in the party are with Jose and two in Joseph faction. It is heard that C R Thomas will support Joseph. Then P J will have an upper hand in the assembly. General secretary Joy Abraham is also with Joseph.

However, Jose K Mani has an upper hand in the state committee. Eight district presidents attended the meet in Pala yesterday. District presidents Kottarakkara Ponnanchan of Mani faction and Arackal Balakrishna Pillai (Kollam) stayed away from the meet and it was specially noticed.