Kottayam DCC chief's stand against KM Mani worries UDF

Kottayam: Kottayam DCC chief  Joshy Philip  has made things difficult for the UDF candidate in the Chengannur by-election by his open stand against the return of  Kerala Congress (M) chairman K.M. Mani to the UDF.  Mr Philip said the other day that the DCC resolution passed in May last year against the KC(M)  after it  captured the Kottayam district panchayat with the support of the  CPM was still valid.  

This   has worried the UDF, especially when the Congress leadership was  trying to garner the support of Mr Mani for the upcoming Chengannur by-election. The statement of Mr  Philip also  exposed the disagreement among Congressmen over  inducting Mr Mani into  the UDF.

However, the  Congress leaders termed the statement of Mr Philip as inconsequential.  Mr Joseph Vazhakkan, a senior leader,  told DC that the resolution of the DCC could be superseded by the KPCC.  However, the decision to come back should be taken by Mr Mani, he said.