Kerala - Kottayam   

Jacob says ‘no’ to merger with Kerala Congress(M)

KOTTAYAM: The much publicised unity move among Kerala Congress factions appears to have entered rough weather with the faction led by T.M. Jacob making it clear that it is not for a merger with the Kerala Congress (M).

Speaking to mediapersons after a meeting of the party working committee here on Monday, Mr. Jacob said he was for the grand merger of the factions into one Kerala Congress as declared prior to the last Parliament elections. However, he was not for the merger of one faction with another.

Mr. Jacob said his party had given the green signal for the unity efforts among the various factions.

In fact, a committee comprising leaders of all factions now in the United Democratic Front was constituted to finalise the ways and means for the merger.

The committee had met more than once and the last meeting was held on July 3. However, in the first week of October, the P.C. George-led Kerala Congress (Secular) unilaterally announced its decision to merge with the Kerala Congress(M), Mr. Jacob said adding that the announcement was made without either consulting the committee or even disbanding it. “The impropriety of this action was conveyed to both parties at that time,” he said.

Reacting to a question, Mr. Jacob said the unity efforts appeared to have slowed down after the last Parliament elections.

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