No problems with Joseph, says K M Mani

NEW DELHI: Kerala Congress (Mani) chairman K M Mani Wednesday denied the news over the problems with the Joseph Group. Mani said there are no differences of opinion amongst us. Some are creating the news to bring confusion in the party, he told reporters here.

Mani said Joseph has never told me that they are being neglected in the party. There is no situation for such a complaint. Joseph has not given a letter to the chief minister requesting to consider them as special party. There are no two sections like the Mani Group or the Joseph Group in the Kerala Congress. The party is moving forward unitedly. The UDF has the responsibility to hold discussions on seat allocation. So far, no such discussions were held. Both of us will hold discussions and after that will hold talks with the UDF, Mani explained.

When pointed that MLAs including that of Joseph Group were not present in the strike staged against the fall in the price of rubber, he said they were not present as advised by him. When the assembly session is on, the MLAs should be present there. I came here as the party chairman, he said.

George will not be expelled from party, says K M Mani

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Though P C George has been sacked from the chief whip post, he will not be expelled from the party, said Kerala Congress (M) chairman K M Mani.

Talking to reporters before leaving to attend the cabinet meet, Mani said that he is not interested in expelling anybody.  When asked about the sacking of George, he termed it as ‘good’. I am happy for accepting the decision of the party. Let the people assess the allegations levelled against me, he said.

No compromise on two seats, says K M Mani

KOTTAYAM: There is no compromise from its demand for two seats in the Lok Sabha polls, said Kerala Congress (M) chairman and Finance Minister K M Mani. The party deserves two seats, he said.

The matter will be voiced at the appropriate time at the apt venue, he said.

The high powered panel meeting of the Kerala Congress will be convened in Kottayam tomorrow, he said.

Poll debacle an eye-opener, says K M Mani

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The defeat faced by the congress in the assembly polls in four states, should be an eye-opener for the party, said Kerala Congress (M) chairman and Finance Minister K M Mani.

Talking to reporters after inaugurating the Human Rights Day Observance, Mani said the result is a lesson for everybody. One should accept the defeat faced in the polls, correct mistakes and then go forward by taking everybody into confidence.

Congress alone cannot take decision on dy CM post, says K M Mani

KOTTAYAM: The Kerala Congress (M) chairman K M Mani too has opposed in giving the deputy chief minister’s post to KPCC chief Ramesh Chennithala. He said the congress alone cannot take a decision on it. It has to be discussed in the UDF.

Mani said, “Our Delhi visit was cancelled as no invitation was obtained from the high command for the talks in connection with Chennithala’s deputy chief minister post. We cannot go to Delhi carrying our bags after hearing something.  Somebody responsible should invite us for talks. A decision will be taken soon on the cabinet reshuffle and it cannot be delayed. The Kerala Congress too deserves a ministerial post. I hope the congress will consider us.”

No situation for George to resign, says K M Mani

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  There is no situation for Chief Whip P C George to resign, said Kerala Congress (M) chairman and Finance Minister K M Mani.

Mani talking to reporters before partaking in the cabinet meet, said George has not informed him anything about the resignation.

Meantime, it is heard that George will hold talks with Mani after the cabinet meet.

No immorality in inducting Ganesh, says K M Mani

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There is no immorality in accommodating K B Ganesh Kumar to the cabinet, said Kerala Congress (M) chairman K M Mani. He resigned on moral grounds and was not ousted from the cabinet, he said.

He said this while responding to the statement of Chief Whip P C George that the re-entry of Ganesh would be immoral. When more was asked, Mani just walked off.

There is no connection between the number of MLAs and cabinet rank, he said. Parties with less MLAs have obtained the chief minister post. I’m not keen in becoming a chief minister, he said.  

The Kerala Congress (M) is eligible for two seats in the Lok Sabha polls. But before the announcement of the polls, there is no need for a discussion, he said.

No immorality in inducting Ganesh, says K M Mani

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There is no immorality in accommodating K B Ganesh Kumar to the cabinet, said Kerala Congress (M) chairman K M Mani. He resigned on moral grounds and was not ousted from the cabinet, he said.

He said this while responding to the statement of Chief Whip P C George that the re-entry of Ganesh would be immoral. When more was asked, Mani just walked off.

There is no connection between the number of MLAs and cabinet rank, he said. Parties with less MLAs have obtained the chief minister post. I’m not keen in becoming a chief minister, he said.  

The Kerala Congress (M) is eligible for two seats in the Lok Sabha polls. But before the announcement of the polls, there is no need for a discussion, he said.

I’ve not sought dy CM post, says K M Mani

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: I’ve not sought the post of deputy chief minister, said Congress (M) leader and Finance Minister K M Mani.

No discussions were held in the UDF regarding the post. I’ve neither asked the post nor demanded it, he said.

The differences of opinion seen in the congress will not affect the UDF, he said.

No discussions held on Dy CM post, says K M Mani

KOZHIKODE: The UDF has not discussed on the deputy chief minister post and reorganisation of the cabinet, said Kerala Congress (M) chairman K M Mani.

A decision on the post of deputy chief minister has to be taken collectively. If a situation arises to discuss on it, the party will then brief its stand.

Talking to reporters here, Mani said, “I don’t have any personal stand on it.”

Mani said the congress can decide on the post of Ramesh Chennithala. The problems on it will be solved by the party itself.

The Kerala Congress (M) will ask for more seats in the Lok Sabha polls. The party has the right to get more seats and for union cabinet berth, he said.

Ban on toddy cannot be implemented quickly, says K M Mani

KOTTAYAM: A ban on toddy cannot be implemented quickly, said Finance Minister K M Mani. A decision can be taken only after examining all sides, he said.

Policies protecting the health of the people should be formed. Many will lose their jobs if the ban is implemented quickly. The government will take a suitable decision after holding discussions, he said. He said this while responding to Kerala High Court’s statement asking the government to impose prohibition of toddy in the state to save the poor from the evils of alcohol.

Ministry will discuss hike in power tariff, says K M Mani

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister of Finance K M Mani said that the hike in power tariff will be discussed in the next cabinet meet and that he cannot opine about reducing the tariff at this stage.

Congress leader V M Sudheeran said that in the current scenario of increased prices of basic amenities, the hike in power tariff is a heavy blow for the common man.


He said that the arrears due to the board should be collected to bridge the loss.

State to set up IPR Academy soon, says K M Mani

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state will set up an Intellectual Property Right (IPR) Academy in the state, Finance Minister K M Mani told the assembly Monday.


Replying to a submission in this regard by Congress Member V D Satheesan, the finance minister said the state would also consider the scope of introducing a Special Wing in the IPR to protect the right of traditional knowledge in the country.


The government would speed up the process as an IPR Academy is essential for Kerala, he added. The previous budget also proposed an Academy for which a suitable location for its Campus would be identified soon, he said.