No split in Kerala Congress (M), Says Mani

KOCHI: Kerala Congress (M) chairman KM Mani has denied the rumours that the party is heading for a split even as a section within the party admitted that there are problems and discussions are going on to find a solution.

Mani said no developments that threaten the unity of the party have taken place. He rejected reports that a section of leaders belonging to the P J Joseph group had met the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy with the demand that the Joseph Group within KC(M) should be treated as a separate party in the United Democratic Front ( UDF).

He said he spoke to Chandy and P J Joseph. “The reports are not true. It is a planted story“, he said.

With elections round the corner, a section of party leaders belonging to the P J Joseph group have been asking for a fair deal when it comes to seat sharing. Mani said the talks for seat sharing have not started in Kerala Congress (M).According to him, talks have to be held with the UDF first. “Kerala Congress (M) deserves more seats,“ he added.

Mani, who was in Delhi to participate in the agitation for better price for rubber organised by the party, denied the allegations that there are two groups in the party.There is no reason for any discontentment in the party, he said.Asked why the Joseph Group leaders did not participate in the agitation, he said it was as per his instructions.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy also said there was no truth in the reports that a section of Kerala Congress (M) men had met him. Irrigation minister PJ Joseph, however, admitted that there are problems in the party and that discussions are going on.

He said issues like assembly seat for Francis George, former MP and a Joseph loyalist, are being discussed.