KOTTAYAM: The state secretariat meet of the Kerala Congress (M) held here on Monday gave the formal nod for the merger of the Kerala Congress (secular), led by P C George MLA and former minister T S John, with the party.
The merger meet will be held at Tirunakkara grounds here on November 11. The long-awaited green signal for the politically desperate P C George camp, which was thrown out of the LDF and shooed away from the UDF in spite of many attempts to become a partner, has been facilitated through the bandwagon of `Kerala Congress unification’, even when those two other splinter KC factions even in the UDF remains aloof from it.
Rolling a red carpet welcome for P C George and followers after the secretariat meet, KC supremo K M Mani said that the former is being accepted as a ‘new bride’ into the Kerala Congress family and “the marriage is fixed for November 11”. ”I was waiting with a wounded heart all these years for the home coming of all those who have parted ways with the party”, he said.
P C George, who arrived at the KC(M) headquarters after the secretariat meet, told newsmen that his group was making a great sacrifice with the sole aim of realising the unity of all those who are immensely influenced by the Kerala Congress culture. “It is sad to note that Balakrishna Pillai and T M Jacob have not come together at this juncture. However, it is bound to happen in two to three to four months time”, he hoped. “Even the respected P J Joseph, if he is willing to come out of the LDF, should array under a single umbrella of the Kerala Congress,” he said. He also clarified that his party’s unanimous decision to merge with the Kerala Congress led by K M Mani is unconditional and not for any office-bearership.
Mani said that wonders is going to happen in the Kerala Congress fold. ”In politics, many things have to be seen as bygones. One has to forget many things ”, he said, referring to the unkindest political attacks he was subjected to by P C George for the past 30 years. “Many have thought that it is unimaginable for P C George to come to us. It is not impossible for Balakrishna Pillai and T M Jacob also to join hands with the parent party. It is only a matter of time. Discussions and debates at different levels within their fold and outside have to take place,” he said. “Some may go and come back. It is happening in the CPM and in the Congress,” he observed.
“I don’t want to say anything on P J Joseph and his party since they are in the ruling LDF now. But certainly, all those with Kerala Congress culture and which believes in the ideology of working class should unite,” said Mani
A strong regional party is needed to serve the state,” Mani said. KC(M) chairman C F Thomas MLA, presided over the secretariat meet. Party MLAs’, state and district office-bearers were also present.