It was none other than late KM Mani, the patriarch of the Kerala Congress (M), who had once famously said – Kerala Congress splits as it grows and grows as it splits.
Formed in 1964, Kerala Congress has witnessed numerous splits over the years; with all the breakaway factions keeping the name Kerala Congress and then adding the name of their founder to it.
Mani passed away on April 9 after running the party for several decades. And what political pundits had predicted after the death of the party chairman has come true - a rift in the party for the highest post.
The party has two factions-one led by Mani’s son and party vice chairman Jose K Mani and another lead by party working chairman P J Joseph. And as anticipated both the groups have begun claiming that the chairman post belongs to them.
On Monday, party General Secretary in charge Joy Abraham announced that PJ Joseph will act as party chairman on a temporary basis.
“This is not an appointment, as per the party rules, the working chairman will naturally be vested with the responsibility in the absence of the party chairman,” Joy Abraham told TNM.
A new chairman has not been elected though it has been more than a month since Mani died. “The party has begun an unofficial discussion on it. Official discussion will begin after the 41st day function of Mani sir’s death on May 17,” he said, quickly adding that there was no rift in the party.
“Everyone has been expressing their opinion, there is no disagreement and no need to create a controversy on it. We will amicably settle the issue without going for a vote,” he said.
Despite Joy Abraham's words, the fact remains that both the groups have been trying to strengthen their hold over the party.
PJ Joseph had been a minister multiple times and has held portfolios like Revenue, Public Works etc. Jose K Mani is a former MP who represented Kottayam constituency. He had been nominated to the Rajya Sabha in June 2018 before completing five-year tenure as Lok Sabha MP.
PJ Joseph had a difference of opinion with KM Mani over rejection of his demand to be made the candidate from Kottayam in the LS polls. Mani, however, did not relent and had picked his trusted lieutenant Thomas Chazhikkadan as the candidate.
Joseph’s political party- Kerala Congress (J) merged with KC (M) in 2010 after parting ways with the CPI (M)-led Left Democratic Front. KC (M) had been an ally of the United Democratic Front headed by the Congress. Though it had left the UDF in 2016, it returned to the front in June 2018.