In a major setback to Jose K Mani's political career, the Kattapana sub court on Friday ruled that he is not the chairman of the Kerala Congress (M).
With this, the court upheld Thodupuzha Municipal Court's earlier order that Jose K Mani could not handle the office of the party chairman.
Jose K Mani responded that court verdict is not final. “The truth will be out one day. The court can summon a party meeting and find out who enjoys majority in the party," Jose K Mani said while responding to the court verdict.
Comparing Joseph to the caretaker at Koodathil – the prime accused in the death of seven members of a family under mysterious circumstances - Mani said a caretaker can never own the traditionally handed over property.
The Election Commission will inquire into claims made by rival factions of Kerala Congress (Mani) and decide who represents the original party, he said.
The feud between factions led by Jose K Mani and P J Joseph escalated to such a level that in the recent bypoll to the Pala Assembly seat, represented by K M Mani since 1965, the KC (M) candidate lost to LDF nominee as he was not allocated the party's symbol.
Jose K Mani had suffered another setback in Pala bypoll with his preferred candidate Jose Tom lost to Left Democratic Front's Mani C Kappan by 2,943 votes. Pala is in Kottayam district was a Kerala Congress (M) stronghold.
KC (M) is the third largest partner of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). The Congress tried to bring peace between the two factions and could not succeed so far.
After K M Mani's death, his son Jose Mani anointed himself as the new chairman antagonising P J Joseph.
Jose K Mani, who is a Rajya Sabha member, had petitioned the EC that he was leading the original party and he should be allowed to use its two leaves symbol and flag.
He claimed that majority of KC (M) office-bearers, state committee members (total 437), MPs (2) and MLAs (5) are with him and he should be declared as head of KC (M).
Sources said the EC would issue a notice in the next few days to the rival faction led by former minister and party working chairman P J Joseph seeking his reply in the case.
Jose Mani told that he was confident that the EC would decide in his favour as a majority of the party office-bearers were with him.
