Narrative on rift in KC(M) fake, Minister didn’t violate discipline with Pala remarks: Jose K. Mani

Kerala Congress (M) chairman Jose K. Mani on Saturday attempted to downplay the reports of a perceived rift between him and party leader and Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine, saying such media narratives were fake.

Mr. Mani reiterated that there was nothing wrong in Mr. Augustine’s remarks over his candidature in Pala Assembly constituency in the upcoming elections.

Speaking to the media here on the final day of the central Kerala leg of the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) pre-election Vikasana Munnetta Jatha, Mr. Mani said that there was no violation of party discipline in Mr. Augustine’s statement that the party chairman will contest from Pala.

“Mr. Augustine only said that the party will decide, not that the party has decided. Everybody has the freedom to voice their opinion. His intention was good,” Mr. Mani said, adding, on a lighter note, that he liked the comment too. He said he shared a brotherly bond with Mr. Augustine.

“Kerala Congress (M) also wishes that I contest, but it’s upto the party to decide,” Mr. Mani said.

He said the question of violating party discipline would have arose only if Mr. Augustine had stated that he should not contest.

Mr. Augustine’s recent announcement at Adimaly that Mr. Mani will contest from Pala, once the party’s stronghold, had triggered yet another round of speculations about a rift in the party and allegations that the Minister was trying to sideline the party chairman.

On Saturday, Mr. Mani categorically stated that his party did not wish to go after controversies, but to discuss the developments initiated by the LDF government. He said the narratives over the rift in his party stemmed in response to the success of the LDF’s rally. “As the captain of the rally, I did not expect such an overwhelming response from the public. Even in constituencies held by the UDF, we could see from people’s face their excitement about the LDF retaining power for another term,” he said.