Kerala Congress leadership crisis intensifies

Kottayam:  Kerala Congress leaders met here at the Mamman Mappila Hall for the KM Mani commemorative meet,  among leaders across party borders.  And if the body language of the Kerala Congress leaders was any indication,  the Mani faction and the Joseph faction are still at loggerheads with each other.  Those on the opposite poles did not come forward to talk to or shake hands with each other.

Although Deputy Party Chairman, CF thomas arrived early,  he immediately took seat on the dais without giving any leeway for mediamen.  And visibly missing was General Secretary in charge of organization,  Joy Abraham.

The Mani faction  does not see eye to eye with Joy Abraham who is known to have been instrumental in making PJ Joseph Party Chairman.   It is probably knowing this fact,  that the former failed to show up. 

Equally consipcuous by absence were some Youth Front leaders.   Skaria  Thomas,  who had left the party arrived early enough,  but the party leaders just arrived on time.  Jose K Mani arrived closely before the start of the meeting.

PJ Joseph arrived after the presidential address.   Overall,  the crisis of the party during the time of its formation is again visible all around.   Jose K Mani who arrived with High Power Committee member Roshy Augustine,  was greeted with slogans on arrival.

PJ Joseph was accompanied by Mons Joseph MLA.  Although Joseph's supporters were in wait to greet him,   there was no fanfare on his arrival since he arrived late.

The session was also made clear the splintering of leaders and followers in two layers.  Since neither faction was prepared for any compromise,  the gathering was a display of the fact that the party was in grave crisis. 

The chasm was not limited to Joseph and Jose K Mani,  but was visible among senior leaders who were slanting towards Joseph faction.

Although in his speech Joseph said that Mani was a leader who even after falling out with him used to maintain mutual respect,  the pronouncement did not seem to go well with either the audience or the dais.  And what Joseph intended was a swipe at the Mani faction who were intent at ignoring him.

Another development that brushed the wounds with Mani faction was the Joseph's reiteration of his stand regarding chairmanship before the meeting,  at Thodupuzha.  Senor leaders are giving the hint that the party is heading for another split;  and the rank and file are gearing themselves for it too.

As of now, Congress or UDF leaders are not ready to intervene in the matter.