THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Congress MLA P J Joseph has said that UDF has not expelled Jose K Mani. “Even though the UDF has talked with him, but he was not ready to hear our plea,” Joseph responded in the wake of Jose K Mani’s induction to LDF.

“During the by-polls in Pala, Jose K Mani has said that there is no need for an electoral symbol as the symbol is KM Mani himself. He said this during a poll campaign meeting. Then how he can allege that he was not given the symbol at that time. The defeat in Pala occurred due to his actions.

“We have told him that the candidate should be acceptable to everyone. But he fielded an opposing candidate and he made all attempts to insult me. Despite this, now he is alleging that UDF and my party deceived him. His allegations are demeaning. Now he has set ties with CPM whose members blocked KM Mani, insulted him and didn’t even allow him to present the Budget in Kerala assembly,” P J Joseph said.