Kottayam: Kerala Congress (M) working chairman P.J. Joseph on Wednesday said the UDF should choose a candidate for the Pala by-election comparing the lists he and Jose K. Mani faction presented, considering undercurrents.
“A consensus should be reached on a candidate with maximum winning possibility,” Mr Joseph told DC.
He said he did not believe Ms Nisha Jose, wife of Jose K. Mani, could win the seat and claimed that his group had a strong presence in Pala.
“In Elikkulam panchayath our faction is the dominant force. In Meenachil panchayath, we have five panchayath members. In Pala municipality, former chairman Kuriakose Padavan and eight other councillors are with us. So we are a force here," he added.
He said he had apprised the UDF leadership that the fight this time would be tough. Some panchayats of the Poonjar constituency are also in Pala and since P.C. George is with the NDA that votes may favour them, he said.
Mr Joseph’s response came at a time when the final picture is yet to emerge, and Jose K. Mani's name itself is now doing the rounds along with his wife. He denied this as Mr Mani is currently a member of Rajya Sabha.
The Joseph faction is opposing Ms Jose's candidature allegedly because she is not generally acceptable. Since Mr Joseph has the authority of allotting the symbol, they are of the stand that they will approve the name of those who have general acceptance.
