Kerala Congress (M) chairman Jose K. Mani rebuts Roshy Augustine’s Pala candidacy claim, calls it ‘youthful zest’

Kerala Congress (M) Chairman Jose K. Mani has dismissed enactment workfellow and Minister Roshy Augustine’s seemingly out-of-turn announcement that the erstwhile would contention from the Pala Assembly constituency successful the forthcoming Assembly elections, attributing it to Mr. Augustine’s “youthful zest” and “affection” towards him.

Mr. Mani’s rebuttal followed Mr. Augustine’s abrupt declaration astatine a property league successful Adimaly, Idukki, during the LDF’s cardinal portion Vikasana Munnetta Jadha connected Tuesday. Moments aft Mr. Mani stated that the enactment would determine the campaigner for Pala, Mr. Augustine seized the microphone from Mr. Mani, causing disposable discomfort, and asserted that determination should beryllium nary ambiguity astir Mr. Mani’s candidature successful Pala and his assured victory.

“Mr. Roshy grew up done the younker movement, and hence had that passion. The enactment volition instrumentality a determination (about my candidacy) astatine the due time,” Mr. Mani told a property league marking the commencement of the Ernakulam limb of the jatha astatine Kothamangalam connected Wednesday (February 11, 2026). Mr. Mani is starring the cardinal portion jatha.

While acknowledging that the occurrence “may invitation varied interpretations”, Mr. Mani emphasised that helium shared “a brotherly bond” with Mr. Augustine. 

The incidental unfolded amid speculation astir strained relations betwixt the 2 leaders implicit continuing wrong the LDF.

On Satchidanandan row

Responding to disapproval directed astatine Kerala Sahitya Akademi president K. Satchidanandan, Mr. Mani said that “everyone enjoys state of opinion.”

He further asserted that the Kerala Congress (M) represents “the existent legacy” of the Kerala Congress. “Otherwise, wherefore did the Kerala Congress (Joseph) attack the tribunal demanding the enactment awesome of 2 leaves?” helium asked. Recently, Mr. Mani had invited the Jacob faction to articulation the LDF if it faced difficulties wrong the UDF.

Shailaja slams Congress cyber groups

K.K. Shailaja, MLA, who addressed the media alongside, accused Congress cyber groups led by young Congress MLAs of “behaving similar hooligans.”

“Even idiosyncratic similar Mr. Satchidanandan is being attacked successful vile language, which is unacceptable,” she said.