With just a day left for kick-starting the inter-party discussions on seat allocation in the United Democratic Front, the Kerala Congress (M) working chairman P.J. Joseph on Monday sprang a surprise by expressing his intentions to contest the Lok Sabha election.
“I wish to contest to Parliament this time. I am ready to contest from any of the seats allotted to the party,” replied Mr. Joseph to a query by media persons in Thodupuzha.
On the occasion, he also sought to turn down the reports of Nisha Jose K. Mani contesting from Kottayam and said that the party committee was yet to decide on its list of candidates.
The announcements, which came amidst reports of a hard-bargaining by the Joseph group for the Kottayam Lok Sabha seat, have also strengthened suspicion of a raging factional feud within the party.
Clarification
Meanwhile, Nisha Jose K. Mani here on Monday clarified that she had never intended to contest the elections. “I am not a party member but just a supporter. I have already made it clear that I would not be contesting. At the same time, I will be campaigning for anyone contesting on behalf of the party,” she said.