Mani may join hands with NDA after elections: K C Joseph

KOTTAYAM: Kerala Congress (M) leader and former Kuttanad MLA Dr K.C. Joseph has questioned party chief K. M. Mani over his overtures to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Sensing a sinister motive, he alleged that Mr Mani was planning to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) after the Assembly elections. He said the Joseph group feared he might switch sides to ensure a berth for his son in the Central cabinet.

"He was exposed when he did not categorically reject the BJP invitation. He instead said he was happy that the party was getting wider acceptance, revealing his intentions," Dr Joseph told DC. "He should have categorically said he would not join the NDA."

Dr Joseph said the rank and file were not happy with the functioning of Mr Mani, and he had communicated to PJ Joseph, who headed the group, that it could remain as a separate entity within the United Democratic Front (UDF) if it were denied due share in seats.

"I have asked him to speed up seat sharing talks. If the group doesn't get a reasonable share, we should part ways," he said. Dr Joseph, the first KC (M) leader to dissent openly, denied having held any discussions with the Left Democratic Front (LDF). His outbursts come amid talks of another leader taking over his Kuttanad seat.