Thiruvananthapuram: The UDF will announce the candidate for the Pala bypoll this week after discussions with the two factions of the Kerala Congress (Mani).
At the UDF meeting held here on Monday, the P. J. Joseph faction said the candidate should be selected on the basis of winnability. Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala told reporters that the differences between the factions will be settled within a few days. “We will unitedly lead the campaign in Pala,” said Chennithala.
Earlier, Roshy Augustine MLA of the Jose K. Mani faction had rejected Mr Joseph's move to announce the candidate and said the steering committee led by Jose K. Mani will do it. Mr Joseph had earlier said the party may support Mr Jose K. Mani’s wife Nisha Jose K. mani if she has the chances of winning the elections.
UDF secretary Johnny Nellore told DC that the dispute will be resolved soon.
“The Congress on Monday held bilateral talks with the allies, which will continue,” he said.
A senior Congress leader told DC that the UDF allies had asked the party to choose the candidate unanimously or face the consequences. Ego clashes had led to the troubles in the KC(M), he said.
The UDF decided to hold day-and-night protests across the state on September 3 against the LDF government's failures in flood relief activities, the PSC frauds and its anti-people policies.
