Bolstered by the latest court order upholding the stay on the election of Jose K. Mani as Kerala Congress (M) chairman, the faction led by working chairman P.J. Joseph has gone on the offensive.
In a letter addressed to Lalichan Kunniparambil, chairman of the Changanassery municipality, Mr. Joseph has asked him to honour the power-sharing pact and step down from the post. “As per the agreement, you were required to resign from the chairman’s post in August. Your continuation in the post despite repeated demands amounts to violation of party discipline,” read the letter.
Disciplinary action
It further warned Mr. Kunniparambil of stern disciplinary action if he does not step down at the earliest. The letter comes amidst speculations that the Joseph faction might move a no-confidence motion in the 37-member council, along with the Opposition Left Democratic Front, against Mr. Kunniparambil. Of the seven KC(M) councillors in the civic body, all except the chairman owe allegiance to Mr. Joseph, said sources.
As per a pact brokered by the UDF, Sajan Francis, a Joseph loyalist, was to take over the post for the remaining term of 15 months. Mr. Kunniparambil did not comment on the specifics of the power-sharing pact, but said he was awaiting a direction from the party leadership. “I am yet to receive any letter from Mr. Joseph seeking my resignation. Any further decision on the matter will be made after consultations with party leader Jose K. Mani,” he said.
