KC(J) leader Johnny Nellore terms denial of seat by Congress a 'brutal cheat'

KOCHI: Kerala Congress (Jacob), a minor partner in the Congress-led UDF, today came down heavily on the Congress leadership for denying Angamaly assembly seat to the party for the May 16 Assembly polls.

The party chairman and senior leader Johnny Nellore termed the decision as a "brutal cheat".

UDF Convener P P Thankachan has formally informed Nellore the Kerala Congress (Jacob) should be satisfied with just one seat, Piravom, currently represented by Food Minister and party leader Anoop Jacob.

The party had contested three seats in the 2011 Assembly polls.

It could be possible due to hard bargaining the late party leader T M Jacob did with the Congress leadership. Nellore had contested from the Angamaly seat.

"The Congress is trying to eliminate a key UDF partner. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had given us an assurance that the party will be given another seat too. Now we feel humiliated," Nellore said, reacting sharply to the Congress decision to deny him ticket from the constituency currently represented by Janata Dal-Secular, an LDF partner.

Nellore said the party has no untouchability towards the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front and the BJP-led NDA.

He said the party's leadership will meet this evening to discuss further course of action.

Meanwhile, Anoop Jacob said he would comment on the issue only after the party's meeting this evening.

The party had sought four Assembly seats including Piravom, which Anoop Jacob successfully contested in 2011, Angamally, Kuttanad, and Udumbanchola.