Assembly polls: Rebel to contest in Kuttanad following unrest within Congress

KOTTAYAM: Alappuzha district Congress committee vice-president Saji Joseph will contest as a rebel from Kuttanad. The party leadership's decision to allot Kuttanad seat to UDF ally Kerala Congress (Joseph), against the reported request of the local Congress leaders and workers, irked Joseph and those who support him, it is learned.Protesting the decision, around 10 leaders including DCC general secretary K Gopakumar, member Lalichan Pallivathukkal, Congress Karshaka Samithi leader John P Tito, Kuttanad block Congress committee vice-president K B Raghu and Kuttanad North Block Congress committee president Nobin T John quit their party positions.Joseph announced at a news conference in Mankombu, Alappuzha, that he would contest as an independent. He said the people of Kuttanad would correct their past mistakes. Describing Congress as a movement, a visibly emotional Joseph stated that he had been part of the Congress since his birth and has made many sacrifices for the party. He said he never ran away during lathi charges or let anyone else take a beating for him. He said he cannot blame the movement or its leaders, but he is seeking a mandate to protect the self-respect of the people of Kuttanad.Congress workers protested on the streets of Kuttanad on Tuesday, demanding the seat be taken back from the KC (Joseph). Kuttanad is a seat where coalition partners are contesting against each other. Thomas K Thomas of NCP is the LDF candidate. KC(J) vice-chairman and industrialist Reji Cherian is the UDF candidate. NDA has fielded Santosh Shanthy of BDJS.