P J Joseph bent on getting Kottayam Lok Sabha seat

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The trouble within the Kerala Congress (M) is brewing with warring P J Joseph faction hell bent on getting for a Lok Sabha seat in the ensuing election. This was made clear when the IUML leaders P K Kunhalikutty and M K Muneer met Joseph in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.
Highly-placed sources said that if at all the Congress is giving only one seat to the KC(M), then it should be given to Joseph faction.Joseph has made it clear to the IUML leaders that he is ready to contest in that seat.
The KC(M) had demanded two seats due to pressure from Joseph faction. However, the Congress has turned down this demand and made it clear that only one seat can be given to the party.
With Jose K Mani becoming Rajya Sabha MP, Joseph has made it clear that the Lok Sabha seat should be given to his faction. He is of the opinion that his followers were not given due recognition after his party had merged with the KC(M).
The IUML leaders met Mani also and had discussions on the issue.
Mani is learnt to have made it clear he would not put the UDF leadership into pressure by demanding two seats. Kunhalikutty confirmed that he had discussions with KC(M) leaders but was not ready to go into the details.
“It is natural that politics will come when we leaders meet. Nothing more than that,” said Kunhalikutty.