Thiruvananthapuram: The UDF has effected a truce between the warring factions of Kerala Congress (M) ahead of the Pala by-election. Working chairman P. J. Joseph has agreed to work together with the Jose K. Mani faction for the victory of UDF candidate Jose Tom. UDF convener Benny Behanan said after talks with the Joseph faction at Kottayam DCC office on Tuesday that Joseph will join the campaign after Onam.
"The UDF does not approve of the insult meted out to Joseph during the election meeting at Pala," he said.
The front will improve its vote share compared to the 2016 Assembly results, he said. He flayed the moves being made by CPM secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan to woo Joseph to the Left camp and said the UDF will work united.
The meeting was attended by Joseph group leaders Mons Joseph, Joy Abraham and T. U. Kuruvila. It may be recalled that the Joseph faction had called for an alternative convention after opposing Jose Tom.
The UDF also asked the Jose K. Mani faction not to provoke the other faction to ensure the UDF's victory.
Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala had said earlier that a conciliatory meeting would be held on Monday. But it was postponed to Tuesday as Benny Behanan was away in West Asia.
