KOCHI: Senior leader K V Thomas’ new political move is keeping suspense till the end amid rumours of leaving the Congress. Many don’t know why he has called a press meet tomorrow. Even his close aides don’t know whether he is seeing the media to criticize the party, bargain or even to leave the party.

Unconfirmed reports said that Oommen Chandy is intervening and holding conciliatory talks. There are indications that Thomas has asked the Congress leaders who called for conciliation, an assembly seat for his close relative. Thomas has refused to accept the post of congress working president, a membership in the election panel, charges of party channel and mouthpiece offered by the high command.

Meanwhile, it is heard that Thomas demanded an assembly seat for his woman relative in the assembly elections. However the party will not comply with it.

The leaders of Kerala had invited K V Thomas to meet Ashok Gehlot reaching the state today. The leaders tried to intervene through Gehlot as part of a last attempt. However, Thomas said that he cannot come to Thiruvananthapuram as had planned some programmes earlier.

The CPM Ernakulam District Committee has welcomed Thomas. The CPM said let him first inform his interest and then can take a stand. M M Lawrence had strongly opposed giving him a seat. In any case, the UDF is of the view that this is part of Thomas' pressure strategy to secure a seat in the assembly elections.