No end to stalemate in Kerala Congress

Kottayam:  In a move to ward off the stalemate formed after PJ Joseph became chairman of Kerala Congress, the Mani faction called for an immediate meeting of the state committee.

Jose K Mani faction was not ready to accept the temporary leadership of PJ Joseph following Mani’s demise weeks ago.

As per the party constitution, in the absence of chairman, working chairman ought to have assumed the position.  Jose K Mani faction finds this would make matters difficult in the future.

The constitution also has provisions that direct election of a new chairman in the event of death, expulsion or resignation of the chairman.

However, the constitution has not assigned any person to call a meeting.

In the event of such emergency, the committee should meet once one fourth of members sign a letter for a meeting. The committee could elect a new chairman.

However, Joseph faction is not ready to convene a meeting and elect a new chairman at the moment.

Meanwhile, reports say that Joseph faction is planning to convene an emergency state meeting and elect a chairman following the KM Mani memorial meeting to be held in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.

Of the total 450 state members, a third of them are with Mani faction.