Kerala Congress (M) will not cross over to LDF, says Joseph M Puthusserry

Kottayam: Kerala Congress (M) state general secretary Joseph M. Puthussery has ruled out any move by the party to join the LDF. “The party hasn’t discussed the issue so far and any decision will be taken only next year,” he told DC. “I rule out such an alliance with the LDF,” he added. Mr Puthussery's statement comes in the wake of speculations that the party had reached an understanding to join the LDF. Mr Scaria Thomas had earlier hinted at such a possibility. Mr Puthussery said that the ‘farmers’ alliance’ formed under the leadership of KC (M) chairman K.M. Mani had no politics and that the campaigns against it were baseless.

“The farmers’ alliance was formed recently to solve the collective issues of the farmers. The KC(M) joined the alliance since the party has no objection to the idea,” he said. Those who were upset over the formation of the farmers alliance were creating such stories, he said. Its leaders include KC(M) chairman K.M. Mani, KC(M) working chairman P.J. Joseph, Jose K. Mani MP, George J. Mathew, Scaria Thomas, V.C. Sebastian and V.V. Augustine. The alliance formed by various political parties has the backing of a section of the Catholic Church and it is speculated that the movement aims at an entry into the LDF after merging itself with the Kerala Congress of Scaria Thomas.