Kerala - Kottayam   

KC(Secular) to merge with KC(M)

PHOTO: by special arrangement

Friends again: Kerala Congress (M) leader K.M. Mani and Kerala Congress (Secular) leader P.C. George after the announcement of the merger proposal in Kottayam on Monday. —

KOTTAYAM: The Kerala Congress, whose four-and-a-half decade history is dotted with a series of splits and unification of its factions, appears to be moving towards yet another unity effort. On Monday evening, Kerala Congress (M) leader K.M. Mani and Kerala Congress (Secular) leader P.C. George jointly announced their decision to merge. The announcement follows the decision to the Steering Committee of the KC(M) to accept the request made by the KC (Secular) on October 9 to merge with the faction led by Mr. Mani.

Announcing the decision, Mr. Mani expressed confidence that unlike some of the earlier efforts at unity, theirs would not be a marriage of convenience. Mr. George made it clear that the new alliance would be fruitful for both the parties.

According to leaders, the formal merger will take place on November 11 in Kottayam. It is learnt that the merger pact includes accommodation for Mr. George as vice-chairman of the party. In addition, the party has been offered one district presidentship, probably that of Alappuzha, and two State secretaries.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mani said the merger did not mean that it was the end of the road for the grand unity espoused by the leaders of the KC factions aligned with the UDF, prior to the last Parliament election. “If the leaders are realistic, unity will not remain a dream,” he said and expressed hope that unity of KC factions would become a reality in the coming days.

Mr. George and his faction have a strong presence in the Poonjar Assembly segment and also in pockets in neighbouring areas in Kottayam Parliament segment which is represented by Jose K Mani. On the other hand, the merger gives Mr. George another lease of political life. Ever since he was ousted from the LDF, he was finding the going tough, as the UDF had failed to incorporate him as a constituent.

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KC(Secular) to merge with KC(M)

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