PC Thomas-led Kerala Congress quits NDA, to merge with Joseph faction

Kerala Congress (Thomas), a constituent of BJP-led NDA in Kerala on Wednesday decided to quit the alliance in protest against denial of seats in the upcoming assembly elections.

Thomas, who had been a minister in the NDA regime, said his party would merge with Kerala Congress group led by P J Joseph, who broke away from Kerala Congress (M).

Thomas said the BJP insulted his party by denying seats. “We sought four seats which BJP refused to allot. BJP leaders wanted me to contest from Pala (where KC leader Jose K Mani is contesting). I have refused to take up that seat due to personal reasons. We decided not to continue with NDA,” he said.

He said Joseph faction of Kerala Congress, now an ally of UDF, would merge with his Kerala Congress. “The title of Kerala Congress is with me. Hence, post merger, the party doesn’t require any new name. Ten candidates of Joseph faction, contesting as UDF candidates, would be known as Kerala Congress candidates,” he said.

A merger with Thomas to get a party title with Kerala Congress after he lost the legal battle for party symbol of two leaves. The party symbol has gone to Kerala Congress M, led by Jose K Mani, now an ally of LDF. If Joseph hadn’t merged with Thomas, who owns Kerala Congress title, the former would have been forced to field his candidates as independents.