Kerala Congress (M) chairman Jose K. Mani rebuts Roshy Augustine’s Pala candidacy claim, calls it ‘youthful zest’

Kerala Congress (M) Chairman Jose K. Mani has dismissed party colleague and Minister Roshy Augustine’s seemingly out-of-turn announcement that the former would contest from the Pala Assembly constituency in the forthcoming Assembly elections, attributing it to Mr. Augustine’s “youthful zest” and “affection” towards him.

Mr. Mani’s rebuttal followed Mr. Augustine’s abrupt declaration at a press conference in Adimaly, Idukki, during the LDF’s central zone Vikasana Munnetta Jadha on Tuesday. Moments after Mr. Mani stated that the party would decide the candidate for Pala, Mr. Augustine seized the microphone from Mr. Mani, causing visible discomfort, and asserted that there should be no ambiguity about Mr. Mani’s candidature in Pala and his assured victory.

“Mr. Roshy grew up through the youth movement, and hence had that passion. The party will take a decision (about my candidacy) at the appropriate time,” Mr. Mani told a press conference marking the start of the Ernakulam leg of the jatha at Kothamangalam on Wednesday (February 11, 2026). Mr. Mani is leading the central zone jatha.

While acknowledging that the episode “may invite varied interpretations”, Mr. Mani emphasised that he shared “a brotherly bond” with Mr. Augustine. 

The incident unfolded amid speculation about strained relations between the two leaders over continuing within the LDF.

On Satchidanandan row

Responding to criticism directed at Kerala Sahitya Akademi president K. Satchidanandan, Mr. Mani said that “everyone enjoys freedom of opinion.”

He further asserted that the Kerala Congress (M) represents “the true legacy” of the Kerala Congress. “Otherwise, why did the Kerala Congress (Joseph) approach the court demanding the party symbol of two leaves?” he asked. Recently, Mr. Mani had invited the Jacob faction to join the LDF if it faced difficulties within the UDF.

Shailaja slams Congress cyber groups

K.K. Shailaja, MLA, who addressed the media alongside, accused Congress cyber groups led by young Congress MLAs of “behaving like hooligans.”

“Even someone like Mr. Satchidanandan is being attacked in vile language, which is unacceptable,” she said.