When the Central Kerala section of the Left Democratic Front (LDF)’s Vikasana Munnett Jatha, led by Jose K. Mani, shut down in Kochi on Saturday, the event seemed to inadvertently expose fault lines within the Kerala Congress (M) at the leadership level.
What started as a politically successful information campaign soon turned into a moment of discomfort for the party, following conflicting public statements by Mr. Mani and Irrigation Minister Rosha Augustine regarding the former’s candidature in Pala. The mixed news not only dented the carefully cultivated image of leadership cohesion, but also caused confusion among cadres, fueling speculation of an internal split as the party prepares for the next House of Assembly elections.
Until the dispute surfaced, the rally was largely frictionless. The turning point came in Adimaly, where Mr. Augustine dramatically took the microphone during a press conference to announce Mr. Mani’s candidature in Pala. Mr. Mani attempted damage control by dismissing the episode as a reflection of Mr. Augustine’s typical exuberance. However, the minister’s decision to reiterate his position the following day ensured that the issue did not go away.
The prevailing view in party circles is that Mr. Augustin’s intervention put the KC(M) in an avoidable predicament at a time when it was gaining political momentum alongside the LDF campaign. Leaders point out that the reception of both the party and its president during the rally was enthusiastic, especially in Kottayam and Pala districts, where the large turnout of LDF supporters indicated that the KC(M) had succeeded in re-connecting with local workers. “The minister could have avoided making such remarks at this juncture. He has provided a convenient weapon for critics,” said a senior leader.
Predictably, detractors, both within and outside the political spectrum, seized on the episode and amplified it across social media. At the heart of the dispute is the assertive political style of Mr. Augustin, which in this case seems to have overshadowed the more measured approach of Mr. Mani.
Since then, the rumor has been in full swing. Allegations range from claims that Mr. Augustine is trying to push Mr. Mani politically – perhaps with the tacit support of sections of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) leadership – to speculation that Mr. Mani himself may be considering a return to the United Democratic Front. However, the party collectively dismissed these theories as baseless.
Still, the episode revived a deeper unease within the organization. Many cadres privately admit that such indiscipline would have been unimaginable in the KM Mani era. “The KC(M) has never in its history functioned with dual centers of power,” another senior official noted.
With tensions simmering under the surface, the controversy is expected to feature prominently in the upcoming party leadership meeting.
Published – 14 Feb 2026 18:35 IST