4 months ago
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Kerala Congress (M) president Jose K. Mani connected Thursday (January 22, 2026) visited Kochi Bishop Antony Kattiparambil astatine the office of the Diocese of Cochin astatine Fort Kochi, triggering governmental speculation successful the aftermath of alleged disputes wrong the enactment implicit a imaginable displacement to the United Democratic Front (UDF).
Mr. Mani, however, described the sojourn arsenic “private” and dismissed reports linking it to politics.
Asked whether the gathering was connected to the reported interior quality implicit switching fronts, helium said it was simply a “tale woven and celebrated by the media.” He added that helium had “expected specified speculation to person ended connected January 14” and, with a interaction of sarcasm, “thanked” the media for considering KC(M) among governmental heavyweights.
On January 14, Mr. Mani had sought to quell speculation astir a imaginable instrumentality to the UDF, stating that it was a “book that has not been opened,” portion reaffirming his loyalty to the Left Democratic Front (LDF).
No authorities discussed: Bishop
Emerging from the meeting, Bishop Kattiparambil besides claimed that nary governmental matters were discussed. While acknowledging that the Church has “concerns” with the party’s stance, the bishop said helium felt it inappropriate to rise them during the meeting.
Asked whether Mr. Mani had assured the Church of resolving its concerns, Bishop Kattiparambil noted that specified a effect was lone natural. He, however, emphasised that the gathering was “purely casual.”
Despite some parties insisting the gathering was not political, it nevertheless fuelled speculation successful the politically charged ambiance surrounding the KC(M)’s imaginable power to the UDF. The sojourn was seen arsenic an effort by Mr. Mani to reassure the Church astir the governmental reasoning down remaining wrong the LDF fold.
Reportedly, disapproval had surfaced astatine the party’s Kottayam territory committee gathering implicit “missing the opportunity” to determination to the UDF.
