Court stays Jose K Mani’s election as Kerala Congress (M) chairperson

Thiruvananthapuram:  The Thodupuzha Municipal Court on Monday stayed Jose K Mani’s election as the chairperson of Kerala Congress (M), dealing a blow to the faction.

The court issued stay on a petition filed by the two state committee members of the party: Philip Stephen Cheriyil and Manohar Naduviledath.

As per the order, Jose K Mani will not be able to use official name as chairperson, official vehicle and office and he will not be able to communicate to the Election Commission using the name of party chairman. The stay will continue until further orders from the court.

A state committee meeting on Sunday elected Jose K Mani as the party chairman laying bare the split in the party after the founder K M Mani’s death two months ago.

Kerala Congress is the third largest constituent of the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) led by the Congress.