P J Joseph surprises at UDF dharna

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The UDF launched its 24-hour protest against the ‘anti-people policies’ of the state and central governments  in front of the secretariat here and in the district collectorates on Thursday. Kerala Congress (M) leader P.J. Joseph embarrassed the party leadership by attending the protest at Thodupuzha municipal grounds  though he said it was a courtesy call. KPCC president M. M. Hassan, who inaugurated the protest in front of the secretariat here, alleged that the LDF and BJP governments had failed to reduce the fuel prices.

Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala inaugurated the protest in Thrissur, former KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran  in Ernakulam, and Muslim League general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty MP in Malappuram.   Mr  Sudheeran said that chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan was dancing to the tune of prime minister Narendra Modi. KC(M) vice-chairman  P. J. Joseph  told  reporters that there was  no political significance to his participation in the  UDF's  protest.

"It was just a courtesy call as I had attended another meeting at the nearby venue. I did not  intend to attend the day and night protest of the UDF," he  said. However, Mr Joseph also spoke at the protest leaving party chairman K.M. Mani red-faced.  Mr Mani and his son, Jose K. Mani remained tight lipped on the incident. The   protest will conclude here on Friday when former KPCC president Thennala Balakrishna Pillai will speak.