Kottayam: The dissident leaders of Kerala Congress (M) who have left the party will hold a meeting in Ernakulam on March 9 to decide the name of the newly-formed party, its chairman and the future course of action.
“We have invited those who have expressed solidarity with us to the meeting which will be held at the YMCA hall. The future course of action, including joining the (LDF), will be decided at the meeting,” said Dr K.C. Joseph, one of the dissident leaders. Former MP Vakkachan Mattathil is also willing to be associated with the new party, it is learnt.
Though no other major or second rung leaders have openly extended support to the leaders, they are expecting a number of leaders from the Joseph group, who are dissatisfied with the functioning of Mr K.M. Mani and his son Jose K. Mani MP, to join them.
Mr Francis George, who is slated to be the chairman of the new party, told DC that they planned to bring the Kerala Congress to its old glory. The delegates’ meet of the new party will be held at the Mammen Mappila hall in Kottayam on March 16.
KC(M) sources told DC that with Joseph group leaders from Kottayam district, including Mr Mons Joseph and others remaining with the party, the rebels will have only less clout in the district.
The KC (M) leadership has asked its party members to downplay the exit of the leaders. KC (M) chairman K.M. Mani told reporters at Pala that he had nothing more to say regarding the latest developments.
“The exit of the leaders despite the party offering them assured seats is a political blunder. As of now we cannot consider it as a split. The majority of the Joseph group is intact,” a KC (M) functionary told DC.
