IDUKKI: Continuing the exodus from KC(M) to the Kerala Congress led by Francis George, former MLA and Karshaka Union state president Mathew Stephen resigned from the party.
The former MLA from Idukki and Udumbanchola constituencies said that he is ready to fight election against P J Joseph in Thodupuzha if the LDF asks for the same.
Along with him, Kerala Trade Union Congress (KTUC) state president Baby Pathipally also quit the party to join Francis George’s wing. He is also a former Irattayar grama panchayat president from the party. They claimed that more from the district would follow suit during a press conference here on Wednesday.
The duo said that they resigned from the party as they are fed up by the autocracy, corruption and anti-farming policies within the party.
They also said that another press conference would be held in the coming days to parade the entire party workers from all panchayats in the district along with them.
Mathew Stephen said that P J Joseph is now realising the fact. He hoped that Joseph too would join the new party soon.
He said the stance taken by the LDF over Gadgil and Kasturirangan issues was correct, and that he has no inhibition in admitting that there is fault on the part of the Kerala Congress(M).
Both the Kerala Congress and the Chief Minister had failed to resolve the issues of fall in price of rubber and cardamom, he added.
The former legislator also hinted that Francis George is likely to contest in Idukki Assembly constituency.