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Updated November 12th, 2019 at 04:15 IST

Kerala Congress (Mani) may split into two parties soon

The Kerala Congress may break into two parties soon as there appears to be no solution for a rift between Joseph and K.M. Mani's son Jose.K. Mani.

Reported by: Nisha Qureshi
Kerala
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The Kerala Congress may break into two parties soon as there appears to be a rift between the biggest ally in the Congress-led UDF. Sources reveal the rifts started after the death of  K.M. Mani in April. There is a struggle for power between Joseph and K.M. Mani's son Jose.K. Mani.

Factions within the party

According to sources, two factions have been formed within the party. The factions have also formed their own committees at all levels. In 2010, Joseph had pulled out of the Left Democratic Front government in Kerala and merged his Kerala Congress (Joseph) with the Kerala Congress (Mani). However, issues popped up when Mani decided to name his candidate to the lone Lok Sabha seat in 2019. Thereafter, a slugfest began between the two factions.

READ | Congress leaders meet ahead of bypolls in K'taka to discuss strategies

Kerala Congress (M) loses Pala seat 

Things went even more out of control when it came to select a candidate for the by-election for the Pala Assembly, the seat that fell vacant after K.M. Mani's death. The seat was given to Josh Tom who lost the bypolls. Out of 437 state committee members of the party, as many as 325 attended the meeting, the faction leaders claimed. Jose K Mani said, "KM Mani sir is with us in our journey forward. I will work hard to follow the path shown by him." The party would function unitedly, he said in his speech. According to leaders of the Joseph faction, there are a total of 437 members in the Kerala Congress (M)s jumbo state committee. Earlier, the Congress spokesperson Joseph Vazhakan said his party wanted Kerala Congress (Mani) to stay united and senior Congress leaders were talking to the rival factions to sort out things.

Kerala Congress (M), has had a history of splits since its inception. It has a strong base in the central Travancore belt. The party was formed in 1979 after a split with the parent some Kerala Congress party.

READ | Congress : 'Mandate is for Opposition, but High command will decide'

READ | Kerala CM reviews preparations for Sabarimala pilgrimage

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Published November 11th, 2019 at 17:20 IST

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