Team News Riveting
Kochi, September 1
After a major setback of losing symbol, the P J Joseph faction of the Kerala Congress (M) should now get prepared to face the legal challenges.
For, the poll panel on Monday allotted party’s dispute symbol—two leaves—to the Jose-K Mani faction.
Joseph and Jose K Mani were part of the Kerala Congress (M) led by K M Mani before the demise of the party patriarch last year. Mani’s death resulted in the party split, one led by veteran leader Joseph and the other by Mani’s son Jose.
Joseph, who was the working president of the party, refused to allocate the official symbol to the candidate fielded by Jose K Mani faction for the Pala assembly by-poll that was necessitated by Mani’s death.
The candidate, Jose Tom Pulikkunnel had to contest with the symbol of ‘Pineapple’. In the traditionally stronghold seat, Kerala Congress (Mani) had to face defeat as LDF candidate Mani C Kappan trounced Jose Tom Pulikkunnel.
The development led to the symbol war between the two groups and the issue was pending with the Chief Election Commission. The poll panel yesterday allotted the two leaves symbol to Jose K Mani though the commission said both the factions cannot be called Kerala Congress (Mani).
While the Joseph faction said that they would challenge the commission order in the court of law, Jose group was also preparing ground for a legal battle.
Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani on Tuesday threatened legal action against senior leader P J Joseph and MLAs in his faction for violating a whip issued to abstain from the voting held in the recent Rajya Sabha by-poll from the state.
The group is also exploring legal option for disqualification of Joseph and other MLAs affiliated to his camp.
