ALAPPUZHA: P J Joseph has said that he won’t give back Kuttanad assembly seat and his party’s candidate would contest there in the upcoming by-polls. He also said that a pre-poll understanding is there on Kuttanad seat. “Poll panel’s decision on party symbol is not final, we expect that Delhi high court would issue a stay over the poll panel’s decision,” he told the media.

Meanwhile, deceased MLA, Thomas Chandy’s brother, Thomas K Thomas has told media that if the NCP leadership demands then he would contest from Kuttanad in the upcoming by-polls.

“I have the full support of CPM and has already informed the family’s interest to NCP leadership,” he said.

PJ Joseph’s decision to contest from Kuttanad has further enhanced the problems in UDF, created by the controversies in Kerala Congress. If Jose K Mani comes back to the UDF fold they are also likely to demand the Kuttanad assembly seat.