THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Joseph faction which has landed in serious trouble, with poll panel’s decision to hand over the official symbol to Jose faction is planning to make new moves. Apart from approaching the court to stay EC’s decision, the Joseph group leaders are also planning new political strategies. The only bracketless Kerala Congress is the PC Thomas faction which is currently in the NDA fold. Joseph group is planning to merge with PC Thomas faction in order to make the claim that they are the real Kerala Congress.

Joseph and his group are trying to overcome the disappointment of losing the electoral symbol, by staking claim of ‘real Kerala Congress,’ after joining with PC Thomas faction. They have conducted unofficial talks with leaders of Thomas faction for the merger. However, the major hindrance for the merger is changing the front. The Thomas group had already asked Joseph group, to stay in the NDA fold but it will be suicidal for P J Joseph to join NDA.

However, Joseph faction leaders have asked Thomas faction to join UDF but P C Thomas is not ready to accept that offer, therefore the talks have been halted for a while. Meanwhile, leaders of Joseph faction has said the talks will continue as polls are coming.

P C Thomas has told Kerala Kaumudy Online that Joseph leaders would like to get the name Kerala Congress. Most of the leaders in the Joseph group like that name, but official talks haven’t taken place yet. “Leaders like PJ Joseph, Johnny Nellore and Francis George who have once batted for a united Kerala Congress are now standing together and it is a hopeful development. But for us changing front is a major issue,” PC Thomas said.