THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mani C Kappan’s efforts to become a constituent party in UDF has received a set back in the initial phase itself. Sources also indicate that even if Kappan becomes a constituent party he will not get the three seats agreed earlier. Congress thinks that even if seats are given, Kappan does not have leaders with high chances of winning possibilities. KPCC chief Mullpally Ramachandran’s response has once again reaffirmed this.

Mullapally has also said that high command’s prior permission of Congress’s high command is required to make NCP(Kappan) faction a constituent party of UDF. “Mani C Kappan has joined UDF after splitting NCP. I cannot make a decision alone in such political developments,” Mullapally said.

“Am a member of all India committee of Congress. I can only go by the decisions and orders issued by Congress high command. Therefore without the concurrence of high command, Kappan cannot be given the status of a constituent party in UDF,” he opined.

“As KPCC president am unaware whether three seats will be given to Mani C Kappan. I can’t say anything on this issue without knowing the opinion of the Congress high command. I have asked him to join Congress a the moment itself when he said that he is going to leave LDF. I have also demanded that he should contest in Pala under the hand symbol. I have asked him to function under the tradition of Congress,” Mullapally added.