The latest political development is an embarassment to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. (File photo)
In an embarrassment to the ruling Congress-led UDF in Kerala ahead of coming assembly elections, one of its partners Kerala Congress (M) on Thursday split with a group of rebels led by former lawmaker Francis George walking out of the party accusing its chief KM Mani of functioning unilaterally.
Addressing a press conference, Antony Raju, a former legislator and a member of the party's high-power committee, said he along with Francis George and Dr KC Joseph, also a former legislator, have decided to leave the party as Mr Mani was functioning in an "unilateral manner".
"Dynastic rule is prevailing in the KC-M with Mr Mani trying to make his son Jose K Mani, MP, as the leader of the party," Raju said adding, "it is difficult for any Kerala Congress worker with self-respect to continue in the party."
Another leader PC Joseph, a known opponent of Mr Mani, also left the party.
All these leaders were part of Kerala Congress (Joseph) led by Water Resource Minister PJ Joseph before it merged with KC (M) ahead of assembly elections in 2011.
Reacting to the development, Mr Joseph said he would remain with the KC-M and the UDF and rejected the charge that Mr Mani was planning a tie-up with BJP.
Earlier in the day, sources close Mr George, son of Kerala Congress founder leader KM George, said in Kochi that their leader was cut up with Mr Mani's bid to promote his son.
Mr Raju also alleged there was no inner party democracy or discussions in the party over several issues faced by people.
He alleged that Mr Mani, who resigned as finance minister over the bar bribery scam, was trying to take the party into the fold of BJP and Sangh parivar.
"It is a total deviation from party's ideology for which it was formed", he added.
He said they would revive their outfit Kerala Congress (J) at a meeting to be held here on March 9 and decide the future course of action.
"We have not carried out any discussion with LDF leaders", Mr Raju said when asked whether the new party would work along with LDF in the coming polls.
KM George is the founder leader of Kerala Congress, a political party which later went through several splits ever since its formation in 1964.