The Hindu : Jose Mani to contest from Muvattupuzha

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 29, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Jose Mani to contest from Muvattupuzha

By Our Staff Reporter

KOTTAYAM, FEB. 28. On a day marked by hectic parleys here, the Kerala Congress (Jacob) grudgingly allowed their arch-rival and coalition partner, the Kerala Congress (Mani), to have its way in the Muvattupuzha Assembly segment.

Later, as expected, the KC(M) officially declared the candidature of Jose K. Mani, president of the Youth Front(M) and son of the party leader and Revenue Minister, K.M. Mani, from Muvattupuzha.

The day started with discussions between the United Democratic Front (UDF) liaison committee convener, Oommen Chandy, and the KC(Jacob) leader, T.M. Jacob. After the discussions, Mr. Jacob told mediapersons that his party still held the claim for the Muvattupuzha seat, but in order to ensure the smooth functioning of the UDF, Mr. Chandy had been entrusted with taking the final decision on the issue. The KC(Jacob)chairman, Johnny Nellore, and the general secretary, Mathew Stephen, were also present.

That Mr. Jacob was unhappy with the outcome of the discussions was evident from his cryptic comments while replying to questions from mediapersons. Though he extended full support and cooperation in the electioneering at Muvattupuzha, he, however, was not ready to comment on how the presence of the former MP and NDA candidate, P.C. Thomas, would affect the chances of the UDF candidate, Mr. Jose Mani.

"There will be elections in future also. That is why the party decided not to forgo its claim," Mr. Jacob said.

In the evening, Mr. Chandy told mediapersons that the KC(Jacob) had not renounced its claim for the seat, but it was being given to the KC(M) to ensure the smooth functioning of the UDF during the campaign.

He hoped to complete the process of bilateral talks on Saturday, but the talks with the Jandipathya Samrakshana Samiti (JSS) were still inconclusive. He would continue the talks in the coming days, and was hopeful that it would be possible to conclude the talks on Monday.

Replying to a question, he said that the sentiments expressed by the Kerala Congress (B) leader, R. Balakrishna Pillai, regarding the Adoor Parliamentary constituency, would be taken in all its seriousness by the UDF.

Mr. Chandy made it clear that the bilateral talks were being held within the framework of the 20 Parliamentary seats, two Rajya Sabha seats and the Wadakkanchery Assembly segment.

Among these, the Wadakkanchery seat had been allotted to the Congress, and the Rajya Sabha Seats had been divided between the Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League.

Among the Parliamentary seats, the final decision had been taken on three seats, which have gone to the IUML and the KC(M) respectively. "The 17 UDF seats would be settled by Monday,'' he said.

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