THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: No sooner had the IUML fifth minister row settled down than a tug of war began in the Kerala Congress (M) for the Rajya Sabha seat.Notwithstanding the announcement of KC(M) chairman K M Mani that Poonjar ex-MLA Joy Abraham would be considered for the post, Water Resources Minister P J Joseph on Thursday put two-time MP from Idukki Francis George in the fray.
Indicating a possible rift within the KC(M), Joseph said: “No decision has yet been taken regarding the Rajya Sabha seat. The candidature will be discussed in party forums. Leaders like Francis George are being considered for the post.”
However, all three times when the KC(M) demanded the Rajya Sabha seat, Joy Abraham was the prime favourite. Even this time, Mani had announced his name.
But now with Joseph bringing in the name of Francis George, there seems to be a rift within the party.
KC(M) leader and Government Chief Whip P C George was soon to react. “The decision of the party that Joy Abraham would be the candidate was made clear by the party chairman. At this juncture, Joseph should not have made this statement. It is morally incorrect,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mani told ‘Express’ that there was no differences in the party regarding the Rajya Sabha seat.
“Till now the party has not finalised the candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat. KC(M) is a party with many eligible leaders. The issue will be discussed in the steering committee meeting in early June and a unanimous decision will be taken,” he said.
On George’s remark that Joseph should not have made the claim, Mani said, “He has not made any claims. He just took Francis George’s name, by which he meant that all eligible leaders, including Francis George, were being considered for the post and that is true.”
“There will be no problem in the party on the Rajya Sabha seat which has been our demand for the past 15 years. A consensus will be reached,” he added.
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