Will Kerala Congress (M) row hit Pala bypoll prospects?

KOTTAYAM: The simmering row between Kerala Congress (M) factions could affect the UDF prospects in the Pala assembly by-election expected anytime in four months.

P.J. Joseph, who heads the dominant faction, had openly expressed his displeasure with the Congress leadership for supporting the Mani faction in the election of Kottayam district panchayat president.

Prominent Joseph faction leader Joy Abraham said he could not tell if it could have a bearing on byelection and wanted the UDF leadership to take the necessary remedial measures.

"No one should think that they can take our support for granted,'' he told DC.

The Congress leadership, on the other hand, is of the view that they acted most reasonably over the dispute.

"This will have no impact on the election. Moreover, the Joseph faction doesn't have much influence in the constituency, though some people had recently crossed over. But when the UDF takes a decision Kerala Congress votes will be polled on those lines," said a senior Congress leader.

According to sources, some dissident leaders from Ramapuram panchayath joined the Joseph group recently.

Isolated dissident activities, mostly secretive, were also there in Mutholy panchayath and Pala municipality.

"There is no coordination among the dissidents," a source said. "The absence of a person to coordinate dissident voices is preventing the Joseph faction from cashing in on it."

Some workers from the Karoor panchayath, including ward presidents, have joined the Joseph faction with Saji Manjakambil.

Kottayam DCC president Joshy Philip said that the schism between the two factions would no way affect the by-elections.