Internal dissent over switching ties

Kerala Congress leadership declines call from the UDF, even as pressure mounts on party

- ABHILASH CHANDRAN @Kottayam

CONSENSUS eludes top leaders of the Kerala Congress (M), compelling the leadership to decline a call from the UDF, even as pressure mounts on the party from the powerful Christian community including Catholic Church to switch its political alliance.

Although KC(M) chairman Jose K Mani was reportedly open to rejoining the UDF, stringent objections from top leaders, including its minister Roshy Augustine, Government Chief Whip N Jayaraj and Ran-ni MLA Pramod Narayan, put the party chairman on back-foot. The divide was starkly evident during its parliamentary party meeting held in Thiru-vananthapuram last week, where these three out of five MLAs of the party reportedly opposed accepting the UDF’s invite, leaving the chairman in a difficult position.

Meanwhile, there were reports that Roshy had the backing of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. This has forced Jose to withdraw from the move.

Amid the buzz, a crucial meeting of the KC(M) steering