THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Congress (M) Jose K Mani faction is on negotiating terms for the next Lok Sabha elections. According to reports, the party is adamant about getting seats both in Pathanamthitta and Idukki where they have serious clouts. Jose K Mani has discussed the details with leaders inside CPM. In the steering committee held last week, Jose K Mani opened up about the party’s prospect of contesting from his two districts but not just Kottayam.

In the Pathanamthitta constituency, Kerala Congress(M) has three MLAs. From Idukki, Kerala congress member Roshy Augustine is currently serving as a minister in the Pinarayi cabinet.

In its halcyon days, the Kerala Congress (M) under the tutelage of veteran K M Mani was a formidable power in central Kerala. However, after Mani's death, the party tilted toward the CPM camp from Congress. For UDF it was like the end of all those camaraderie, as the winning formula always relied on Congress, League, and Mani triumvirate.