Court rejects Mani’s plea, stay to continue

Joseph says Mani has no position in party

In another setback to Jose K. Mani, MP, the Kattappana Sub Court on Friday upheld a lower court order staying his election as chairman of Kerala Congress (M).

The Idukki Munsif Court court had earlier issued an injunction order preventing Mr. Mani from officiating as chairman of the party. Challenging this, the Mani faction filed an appeal before the sub court. The court dismissed the plea observing that there was no need to intervene in the matter at this stage.

The Idukki Munsif Court is scheduled to hear the arguments from November 22 for a final judgement.

It was in June this year, a meeting of the faction led by Mr. Mani elected him as party chairman. The faction claimed the support of the 312 members of the 437-member State committee. The faction led by P.J. Joseph filed a petition in the Munsif Court, Thodupuzha, challenging it as they claimed that the meeting was convened without the mandatory 10-day notice as per the party constitution.

The court ruled in favour of Mr. Joseph and the Mani faction moved the Idukki Munsif Court against it. In the appeal, the Idukki Munsif Court also ruled in favour of the Joseph faction.

Hailing the court decision, Mr. Joseph said Mr. Mani had no position in the party as he did not agree with its constitution. Mr. Joseph said the party would consider accommodating Mr. Mani if he came back after rectifying his mistakes.

Leaders of the Joseph faction said the court had accepted Mr. Joseph’s position as the party’s working chairman and as per the party constitution he could handle the role of the chairman since the chairman, K.M. Mani, had passed away in April this year.

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