Splitting KC(M) will be suicidal for Joseph

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Stringent provisions under the anti-defection law are preventing P J Joseph from splitting Kerala Congress (M). Even if he forms a new party and stays in the UDF, Mani can demand disqualification of Joseph and MLAs with him under the act. The ball will then be in the speaker’s court and with a CPM man as speaker, chances for disqualification is very high.
Anti-defection law clearly states that if anyone splits the party then he should have the support of two-third of the MLAs.At present, Kerala Congress (Mani) is having six MLAs and only one MLA - Mons Joseph - has openly supported Joseph. If Joseph has plans to split the party, he needs to rope in at least four MLAs, the chances for which are nearly impossible. N Jayaraj, C F Thomas and Roshy Augustine are the MLAs who are believed to be loyal to Mani.
“If Joseph splits the party and he cannot claim the support of four MLAs, then clearly antidefection law will come into place,” said legal expert N K Jayakumar, who is former secretary of Kerala assembly.
While meeting Congress leaders on Wednesday, Joseph is learned to have requested support from Congress to protect his separate identity within the UDF. “It can be interpreted that they are not going out of the front. But still it means that he has come out of the party which can lead to anti-defection. Hence, the party leader can claim to take action under anti-defection law,” said political scientist J Prabash.
According to experts, even if Joseph violates any of the whips issued by KC (M) even while staying within the party, the anti-defection law can be applied.