Kottayam: With Jose K. Mani rejecting talks with the rival faction owing allegiance to P.J. Joseph, a consensus on UDF candidate in Pala appeared elusive on Thursday.
The Joseph faction is adamant that there needs to be a strong candidate and Nisha Jose K. Mani does not have a winning chance there as a novice to politics.
Mr Joseph said that the winning in Pala assembly election is crucial as it will have a bearing on the upcoming assembly elections also.
His followers are of the view that it is he, as the working chairman of the party, who has to allot the symbol to the candidate and they will grant it only if the candidate is commonly acceptable.
“The candidate should also accept the leadership of Mr Joseph as the working chairman. Otherwise, they could field a candidate as an independent without the party symbol,” a Joseph loyalist said, citing the order of the Idukki Munsif Court which barred Mr Mani from officiating as the chairman.
Meanwhile, the LDF candidate Mani C. Kappen began his election campaign at the Moonnilavu and Melukavu regions on Thursday.
He will campaign in Elikkulam panchayat on Friday.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate his election convention in Pala on Wednesday, which is the last day for filing nominations.
The LDF workers have already put up his graffiti all over the constituency.
