Kerala Congress’s history has been one of splits, mergers and splits again ever since its formation in 1964. Kerala Congress (M), the dominant faction led by former finance minister K M Mani, is now staring at another vertical split after the party announced Thomas Chazhikkadan as its candidate for the Kottayam Lok Sabha seat, much to the chagrin of the group led by party working chairman P J Joseph.
The beleaguered Joseph, who had officially expressed his willingness to contest, alleges that it was party vice-chairman Jose K Mani who conspired to sabotage the parliamentary party committee’s decision to field him in Kottayam. However, he vows that the dramatic turn out of events will not lead to a split in the party.
Excerpts from an interview:
Who pulled the strings to deny you the Kottayam seat?
My candidature was sabotaged by Jose K Mani and a section of party leaders owing allegiance to him. For the time being, I don’t want to reveal the names of those who sided with Jose K Mani against me. The denial of seat to me is absolutely disgraceful. The parliamentary party and steering committee meetings had granted approval for my candidature. It was a unanimous decision. But certain people interfered unwantedly and spoiled my chance. Let me remind you that the decision to hand the Rajya Sabha seat to Jose K Mani was taken at the parliamentary party meeting. I believe the same procedure is applicable to me as well.
Will the latest development trigger a split in the party? Will your faction remain in the UDF camp?
We don’t want to break away from the Kerala Congress (M) because of this. I will stand firmly with the UDF. There is no about it. I have the backing of a majority of UDF leaders. They will support me, come what may.
Since I’m also the working chairman of the Kerala Congress (M), it is certain that they will try hard to ensure my victory. Taking that into account, I hope Mani sir will work out a fresh formula to end the impasse and get matters resolved. He should take the initiative to field me as the party candidate in Kottayam. I have no qualms in saying that I really want to contest, and being the party’s working chairman, I have every right to express my desire.
Do you believe K M Mani had a role in denying ticket to you?
There was immense pressure on him to shunt me out. After the parliamentary party and steering committee meetings he had said that opinion would be gathered from all echelons of the party to reach a consensus on my candidature. It is then Jose K Mani butted in, asking the party chairman to seek the opinion of assembly constituency committee presidents in Kottayam before taking a final call. Is the assembly constituency committee a superior body to the parliamentary party and steering committees? Why should the decision on my candidature be left with the constituency committees?
In the meantime, party’s Kottayam district president told the media that opinion was divided on the matter. Does the district president have any right to give such a statement? It set off a storm of anxiety among the party circles, and a section of party leaders took it as an opportunity to turn against me. Mani sir had told me over the phone that local-level consultations were required before finalising my candidature. But within half-an-hour, a press note announcing Thomas Chazhikkadan as the party candidate to the Kottayam Lok Sabha seat was issued by the leadership.
If a candidate does not hail from the district where the constituency is situated, will it dent a party’s electoral prospects?
Some leaders claim that I was being denied the ticket because I originally hail from Idukki district. It is a lame excuse. If that is the case, why it is not applicable to Roshy Augustine, who, despite being a native of Kottayam, contested three assembly elections from the Idukki assembly constituency? The Idukki Lok Sabha seat has seen non-natives contesting from there on many occasions. The party’s working chairman can seek mandate from wherever he wishes to. The reasons cited for denying me the ticket are baseless. The explanation from the party leadership defies logic. It’s unacceptable and I’m totally upset.
Being the working chairman, has the party leadership given you due consideration?
I don’t want to comment on that now. This is not the time to raise complaints.
Will you contest from Idukki?
There are three seats - Kottayam, Idukki and Chalakudy – from where I wish to stand as a candidate. I’m confident that I can win from any of these seats.
Have you decided on your future?
I’m still hopeful. There is a meeting with Congress leaders today. After that, a pragmatic and judicious decision will be taken in consultation with the UDF leadership. I hope all the obstacles will be cleared and everything will be fine in the end.