PJ Joseph keen on contesting LS polls

Thodupuzha: The rift in Kerala Congress (M) is unlikely to end as senior leader P J Joseph has expressed his intent to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections even as his party is reportedly toying with the idea to field the daughter-law of party chairman K M Mani. Joseph, who had merged his entity with the party in 2010, has also said the party would seek two Lok Sabha seats from the UDF leadership.

Talking to media persons here on Monday, Joseph, 76, said that the Kerala Congress used to be allotted two LS seats whenever the party stood united after joining together all the splinter factions. This was only a fair demand, he pointed out.

Joseph said that they were interested in getting either Idukki or Chalakudy, besides Kottayam constituencies.

He added that the AICC president Rahul Gandhi, with whom the matter was taken up, had suggested to sort out the issue (seat-sharing) at the local level.

The discussions about the seat share were expected to take place tomorrow (Tuesday) and there was no question of agreeing for a single seat, Joseph stated, while adding he was interested in contesting the Lok Sabha polls this time. Joseph expressed his willing to contest from any seat the party ordered.

Joseph, however, dismissed the reports that Nisha Jose, the daughter-in-law of Mani, would be fielded from the Kottayam constituency as mere speculation.

His media conference was held amid reports that the Mani faction is attempting to field Nisha from Kottayam.

It is said Joseph is trying to scuttle Mani’s attempts to elevate his son Jose K Mani, a Rajya Sabha MP and former Lok Sabha MP, to the party leadership.

Meanwhile, Nisha Jose also rejected the rumours that she will contest in the LS polls.

UDF prospects bright

Joseph said that the prospects of the UDF – United Democratic Front – in all the 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala were quite positive.

Charity in son's name

Joseph also told the media persons that the Jomon Joseph Charitable Trust, named after his differently abled son Jomon Joseph, would support the palliative care patients in Thodupuzha Assembly constituency.

The Trust would distribute Rs 1000 per month to each of 700 people requiring palliative care in the constituency.

The project will continue for one year, adding that the decision was taken jointly by him and his wife. He added that the funds for this project would be raised from the family property set aside for Jomon and also from donations.