Kerala Congress
Encyclopedia
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The party was founded by K. M. George in October 1964 after a group of legislators decided to break from the Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress breakaway parties
Since India gained independence in 1947, the Indian National Congress has seen a steady number of splits and breakaway factions. Some of the breakaway organizations have thrived as independent parties, some have become defunct, while others have merged with the parent party or other political...
. The party has its roots in the Indian National Congress
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee is the unit of the Indian National Congress - the world's largest political organization -working in the state of Kerala. Its head office is situated at Trivandrum ....
and is traditionally dominated by the farmers in the state, mostly the Syrian Christian minority and with an important presence of Nair
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
s; however leaders from all communities are represented. The main source of support is the farming community in Kottayam
Kottayam
Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
, Ettumanoor
Ettumanoor
Ettumanoor is a major town in Kottayam District of Kerala, India, located 11 kilometers north-east of Kottayam town, 65 km from Cochin and 73 km from Cochin International Airport...
, Athirampuzha
Athirampuzha
Athirampuzha is the name of a Panchayat and a small town in Kottayam district of Kerala state, South India. Athirampuzha is situated 10 km north of Kottayam town....
, Puthupally, Pambadi, Changanacherry, Kanjirappally
Kanjirappally
Kanjirappally is a taluk and a town in Kottayam district, in the state of Kerala, India. Rubber plantations are a major source of income for the local population. The place has a large population of Syrian Catholic Christians....
, Poonjar
Poonjar
Poonjar is a small town in the Kottayam district of Kerala state, India. Before the independence of India, Poonjar had been the capital of the Poonjar Koyikkal Swaroopam or Edavaka.-History:...
, Erattupetta
Erattupetta
Erattupetta is a town in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India.It is 38 km east of Kottayam, the District Centre. Erattupetta was known as Erappili and Erappuzha before the Advent of Tamil Muslims into this town. Erattupetta is situated in the foothills of High Ranges. It was the...
, Palai, Bharananganam
Bharananganam
Bharananganam, an important pilgrim centre in South India, is located on the banks of Meenachil river, 5 km east of Pala in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala. Bharananganam and surrounding places are bestowed with natural beauty due to hilly areas and lot of vegetation.- Saint Alphonsa's...
, Uzhavoor
Uzhavoor
Uzhavoor is a small village in Kottayam district, Kerala in India. Most of its residents are either farmers or engaged in small-scale business. The tenth President of India, K. R...
, Kuravilangad
Kuravilangad
Kuravilangad is a town located in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India. The town is situated in the Meenachil Taluk, about 22 km north of Kottayam, and is located near the town of Ettumanoor and places like Kalathoor, Kalikave, Vempally, Marangattupally, Kurianad, Monippally, Vakkadu...
, Kaduthuruthy
Kaduthuruthy
Kaduthuruthy is a small town in Kottayam District, Kerala, South India.- Geography :Kaduturuthy is located at . It has an average elevation of...
, Talayolaparambu, Vaikom
Vaikom
Vaikom is a taluk and also its capital town, situated in the North-West of Kottayam in Kerala, India. Its western border is the Lake Vembanad, and is crossed by various estuaries of the River Muvattupuzha. It lies between Ernakulam and Kottayam...
, Kottarakkara
Kottarakkara
Kottarakkara , also transliterated as Kottarakara, is a town and taluk in Kollam District , in Kerala state, India. The town is close to the Kollam port which has a rich history linked to the early medieval period as well as a reputation for being an important commercial, industrial and trading...
, Punalur
Punalur
Punalur is a city situvated near the Tamil Nadu Kerala Border in Kollam district in the southern state of Kerala, India. It is the pioneer in starting industrial revolution in Kerala by establishing Punalur Paper Mills, the first industry in kerala. It is situated in the banks of the river Kallada...
, Pathanapuram
Pathanapuram
Pathanapuram is an administrative division situated in the Western Ghats in the Kollam District of Kerala state of India. It is about 13 km from industrial town Punalur...
, Adoor
Adoor
Adoor is a town and a municipality near Pandalam in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala state, India, spread over an area of 20.42 km2. The town is located midway between Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam. It is among one of the three municipalities in Pathanamthitta district.-Etymology:It is...
, Pandalam
Pandalam
Pandalam is one among the fastest growing towns in Kerala, India. Known far and wide for its legendary connection with Lord Ayyappa and Sabarimala, Pandalam is considered to be a holy town...
, Konni
Konni
Konni may refer to:*Konni, Pathanamthitta, a town in Kerala state in India*Konni , a traditional Hausa state in south central Niger*Birni-N'Konni, a town in Niger*Konni Zilliacus , Finnish politician and writerw...
, Pathanamthitta
Pathanamthitta
Pathanamthitta is a large town and a municipality situated in the central Travancore region in the state of Kerala, south India, spread over an area of 23.50 km2. It is the administrative capital of Pathanamthitta district. The city has a population of 38,000...
, Kozhencherry
Kozhencherry
Kozhencherry is a small town in Pathanamthitta district of Central Travancore region in Kerala state, South India. It is on the banks of river Pampa. It is a commercial centre with many of the Banks and trade companies have their establishments here. It is believed that once the Kovilans of...
, Aranmula
Aranmula
Aranmula is about 128 km from Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala, the south western state in India. It is situated on the banks of the river Pampa. Traditions, cultural variations, traditional village life, sceneries are unique for Aranmula. It is a suburb of Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta...
, Ranni
Ranni
Ranni , sometimes spelled Ranny, is one of the 5 Taluks in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, in India. According to the Census of India 2001, the population was 207,782. The taluk headquarters is a small township on both sides of the Pamba River. Ranni is also one of the largest taluks in...
, Mallapally
Mallapally
Malapally or Mallappally is a taluk in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala state, India. The major religions of the population are Christianity and Hinduism. The Kizhakkedath Sree Subramanya Temple at Mallappally is of note. The Thrikkarthika is celebrated in this temple....
, Thiruvalla, Chengannur
Chengannur
Chengannur , is a municipal town in Alappuzha district of the state of Kerala in South India. Chengannur is located in the extreme eastern part of Alappuzha district. It is north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram on the MC Road. Chengannur is connected to Kollam and Kottayam by NH 220...
, Kuttanad
Kuttanad
Kuttanadu is a region in the district of Alappuzha, in the state of Kerala, India, well known for its picturesque vast paddy fields and its geographical peculiarities. It's the region with the lowest altitude in India, and one of the few places in the world where farming is carried out below sea...
, Peermade
Peermade
Peermade, also transliterated as Perumade, Peerumed, Peerumade or Peermede, is a hill station in the state of Kerala, India...
, Vandiperiyar
Vandiperiyar
Vandiperiyar is a town in Idukki district, Kerala, India.famous in tourism,tea plantation,coffe plantation, black pepper and other spicy products.Number of tea factories are situated here.Famous river PERIYAR flows through the city.-Geography:...
, Kumily
Kumily
Kumily is a town in the Cardamom Hills near Thekkady and the Periyar Tiger Reserve, in the Idukki District of Kerala State in South India. It is a major tourist destination and a spices trading center....
, Vagamon, Kattappana
Kattappana
Kattappana ,a town nestling on the lap of the Sahyadri in Kerala, India is known as the spices capital of Kerala. It is the main commercial town in the high ranges of Idukki District and is situated 2660 feet above main sea level, in the High Ranges, the high altitude region of Kerala, India...
, Udumbanchola
Udumbanchola
Udumbanchola is a taluk in Idukki district of Kerala state in India. This is in the high-ranges. Nedumkandam is the major town and capital of Udumbanchola taluk...
, Rajakkad
Rajakkad
-Demographics: India census, Rajakkad had a population of 16378 with 8219 males and 8159 females....
, Idukki, Thodupuzha
Thodupuzha
Thodupuzha is a town and a municipality in Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 35.43 km2. It is 62 km from Ernakulam. Geographical Classification of Thodupuzha Region is Midland or Idanad....
, Kothamangalam
Kothamangalam
Kothamangalam is a town located in eastern part of Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala situated 45 km north east of Kochi City. It is located around 14 km north east to the town of Muvattupuzha. The town is situated in the foothills of the Western Ghats mountain ranges. It...
, Kalloorkkad
Kalloorkkad
Kalloorkkad is a village in Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala.-Location:Kalloorkad is situated in Muvattupuzha taluk of Kerala State, thirteen kilometers from Muvattupuzha, twelve kilometers from Thodupuzha, and five kilometers from Vazhakulam. Economy of Kalloorkad is reliant on...
, Muvattupuzha
Muvattupuzha
Muvattupuzha is a municipality in Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is a junction of three districts namely Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki. The town is bordered by Kottayam district on southern side and Idukki district on eastern side approximately 20 km from the town...
, Koothattukulam
Koothattukulam
Koothattukulam is situated in the Muvattupuzha Taluk, towards the South East corner of Ernakulam district in Kerala, South India. The town lies 50km south east of Kochi City, 17 km to the south of Muvattupuzha, and 35 kilometres east of Kottayam town and lies on the M.C. Road. It lies at the...
, Elanji
Elanji
Elanji is a village in Ernakulam district Muvattupuzha Taluk in the Indian state of Kerala.-Demographics:As of 2001 India census, Elanji had a population of 16995 with 8455 males and 8540 females.The majority of people living in Elanji are Syrian Christians, although there is also a Hindu...
, Piravom
Piravom
Piravom is a town situated in Muvattupuzha Taluk of Ernakulam district in Kerala state, south India. It is 33 km South East of Cochin city & 42 km north of Kottayam town. Piravom is famous for historic Hindu temples and Syrian Christian churches. The town lies 22 km from the Taluka...
, and some other regions in Malabar (such as the settler community in Wayanad and Tellicherry).
Lok sabha constituencies which have lent support to the party through the years include Muvattupuzha
Muvattupuzha (Lok Sabha constituency)
-Assembly segments:Muvattupuzha Lok Sabha constituency was composed of the following assembly segments:#Kunnathunad#Piravom#Muvattupuzha#Kothamangalam#Kanjirappally#Poonjar#Palai-Members of Parliament:*1952: P. T...
, Kottayam
Kottayam (Lok Sabha constituency)
-Assembly segments:Kottayam Lok Sabha constituency is composed of the following assembly segments:piravom/-/pala#Kottayam#Ettumanoor#Puthuppally#Kaduthuruthy#Vaikom #Palai#Piravom-Members of Parliament:*1952: C. P. Matthew, Indian National Congress...
, Mavelikkara, and Idukki
Idukki (Lok Sabha constituency)
-Assembly segments:Idukki Lok Sabha constituency is composed of the following assembly segments:#Thodupuzha#Devicolam #Idukki#Udumbanchola#Peermade#Muvattupuzha#Kothamangalam-Members of Parliament:*1977: C. M. Stephen, Indian National Congress...
.
Splits and Factions during 1973-2010
The Kerala Congress has suffered severe divisions and several parallel outfits have emerged, all claiming the name 'Kerala Congress'. Factions included the parent under P. J. JosephP. J. Joseph
P. J. Joseph is an Indian politician, the leader of the Kerala Congress party in Kerala, and an MLA, representing the Thodupuzha assembly constituency. Since 1990 his party has been part of the Left Democratic Front as an alliance. He has also held various ministerial positions with the Government...
, Kerala Congress (Mani) under K. M. Mani
K. M. Mani
Karingozhakkal Mani Mani is a veteran Indian politician and the leader of Kerala Congress , one of the factions of the Kerala Congress. He holds the records of having presented the maximum number of eight budgets in the Kerala Legislative Assembly as Finance Minister and also as the...
, Kerala Congress (Balakrishna Pillai) under R. Balakrishna Pillai
R. Balakrishna Pillai
R. Balakrishna Pillai is an Indian politician, a former Minister of the state of Kerala in India, who has held portfolios like Transport, Electricity. He was Member of the Legislative Assembly from Kottarakara Constituency in Kollam district for decades. He is the Chairman of Kerala Congress, a...
, and Kerala Congress (Jacob)
Kerala Congress (Jacob)
Kerala Congress is a registered-unrecognized political party in the Indian state of Kerala. It is a faction of Kerala Congress led by the former minister T. M. Jacob who has held portfolios like Education, Irrigation and Culture in the Kerala Legislative Assembly.-Formation:Kerala Congress was...
under T. M. Jacob. The group that had retained the official recognition by the Election Commission of India
Election Commission of India
The Election Commission of India is an autonomous, quasi-judiciary constitutional body of India. Its mission is to conduct free and fair elections in India...
to the name is the grouping led by P. J. Joseph
P. J. Joseph
P. J. Joseph is an Indian politician, the leader of the Kerala Congress party in Kerala, and an MLA, representing the Thodupuzha assembly constituency. Since 1990 his party has been part of the Left Democratic Front as an alliance. He has also held various ministerial positions with the Government...
(which is informally called the Joseph group
Kerala Congress (Joseph)
Kerala Congress , usually abbreviated as KC, was a commonly used informal name for a regional political party, the Kerala Congress, in the state of Kerala, India, during the years 1979-2010 when it was headed by P. J. Joseph who was the Minister for Public Works in the Government of Kerala till 1...
).
Union of Mani and Joseph factions
In an important development in the politics of Kerala, P. J. JosephP. J. Joseph
P. J. Joseph is an Indian politician, the leader of the Kerala Congress party in Kerala, and an MLA, representing the Thodupuzha assembly constituency. Since 1990 his party has been part of the Left Democratic Front as an alliance. He has also held various ministerial positions with the Government...
announced on 30 April 2010 the intention of his group to leave the Left Democratic Front (LDF), of which his group had been a constituent for two decades, and merge with the group led by K. M. Mani
K. M. Mani
Karingozhakkal Mani Mani is a veteran Indian politician and the leader of Kerala Congress , one of the factions of the Kerala Congress. He holds the records of having presented the maximum number of eight budgets in the Kerala Legislative Assembly as Finance Minister and also as the...
. K. M. Mani reciprocated shortly thereafter, welcoming the exit of the Joseph group from the LDF. This would reunite the two factions which had split in 1979 to form a single Kerala Congress, making it the largest constituent of the United Democratic Front
United Democratic Front (India)
United Democratic Front is an alliance of political parties of Kerala state in India. This alliance is led by the Indian National Congress....
(UDF) after the Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
and the Indian Union Muslim League
Indian Union Muslim League
Indian Union Muslim League is a state political party in the state of Kerala, India. The chief support base of the party falls inside northern and central Kerala...
.
Chairman: K. M. Mani
K. M. Mani
Karingozhakkal Mani Mani is a veteran Indian politician and the leader of Kerala Congress , one of the factions of the Kerala Congress. He holds the records of having presented the maximum number of eight budgets in the Kerala Legislative Assembly as Finance Minister and also as the...
MLA
Working Chairman: P. J. Joseph MLA
Deputy Chairman: C. F. Thomas
C. F. Thomas
Chennikkara Francis Thomas, popularly known as C. F. Thomas , is a politician and a member of Kerala Legislative Assembly. He was Minister for Rural Development in the previous Kerala Government...
MLA
Vice Chairman: P. C. George
P. C. George
P.C. George is the incumbent MLA from Poonjar constituency in Kottayam District of Kerala. George is also vice-chairman of Kerala Congress , a splinter faction of Kerala Congress....
MLA
Various factions
Few years back, P. C. Thomas's Indian Federal Democratic PartyIndian Federal Democratic Party
The Indian Federal Democratic Party was a political party in India. In the 2004 Lok Sabha elections IFDP won one seat from Kerala P.C. THOMAS Defeating Jose K Mani of Kerala Congress . That was the first parliamentary electoral victory of an National Democratic Alliance member in the state.Later,...
, which split from the Mani group, merged with the Joseph group. In October 2009, Kerala Congress (Secular)
Kerala Congress (Secular)
Kerala Congress was a faction of Kerala Congress led by the MLA P.C. George in the State of Kerala, India. Other important leaders of the party were T.S. John and Jacob Thomas Arikupuram.In Oct 2009, the party merged with Kerala Congress ....
under P. C. George
P. C. George
P.C. George is the incumbent MLA from Poonjar constituency in Kottayam District of Kerala. George is also vice-chairman of Kerala Congress , a splinter faction of Kerala Congress....
, which split from the Joseph group, merged with the Mani group. Kerala Congress (Socialist), which split from the Kerala Congress (Secular)
Kerala Congress (Secular)
Kerala Congress was a faction of Kerala Congress led by the MLA P.C. George in the State of Kerala, India. Other important leaders of the party were T.S. John and Jacob Thomas Arikupuram.In Oct 2009, the party merged with Kerala Congress ....
, merged with the Janata Dal (Secular)
Janata Dal (Secular)
The Janata Dal is a Centre-left ಕನ್ನಡ: ಜನತಾ ದಳIndian political party led by former Prime Minister of India H.D. Deve Gowda.The party recognized as state party in the states of Karnataka and Kerala . It was formed in July 1999 by the split of Janata Dal party. It has political presence mainly in...
. A section of the Indian Federal Democratic Party
Indian Federal Democratic Party
The Indian Federal Democratic Party was a political party in India. In the 2004 Lok Sabha elections IFDP won one seat from Kerala P.C. THOMAS Defeating Jose K Mani of Kerala Congress . That was the first parliamentary electoral victory of an National Democratic Alliance member in the state.Later,...
under M. P. George
M.P. George
M.P. George is the Kerala state President of Indian Federal Democratic Party . He is leading a splinter faction of IFDP. When P.C. Thomas merge IFDP with Kerala Congress , M.P. George retained IFDP.-References:...
retains its own cadre. When the Joseph group merged with the Mani group, a faction under P. C. Thomas dissented and stayed under the LDF, forming the Kerala Congress (Thomas)
Kerala Congress (Thomas)
Kerala Congress is a faction of Kerala Congress led by P. C. Thomas.Kerala Congress is part of Left Democratic Front ....
.
There was earlier a move for a United Kerala Congress from Kerala Congress (Mani), Kerala Congress (Secular)
Kerala Congress (Secular)
Kerala Congress was a faction of Kerala Congress led by the MLA P.C. George in the State of Kerala, India. Other important leaders of the party were T.S. John and Jacob Thomas Arikupuram.In Oct 2009, the party merged with Kerala Congress ....
, Kerala Congress (Balakrishna Pillai), and Kerala Congress (Jacob)
Kerala Congress (Jacob)
Kerala Congress is a registered-unrecognized political party in the Indian state of Kerala. It is a faction of Kerala Congress led by the former minister T. M. Jacob who has held portfolios like Education, Irrigation and Culture in the Kerala Legislative Assembly.-Formation:Kerala Congress was...
, but this was unsuccessful. Later Kerala Congress (Secular) merged with Kerala Congress (Mani).
Main Leaders of united Kerala Congress
List of Kerala Congress leaders- K. M. George (1919-1976; Founder)
- K. M. ManiK. M. ManiKaringozhakkal Mani Mani is a veteran Indian politician and the leader of Kerala Congress , one of the factions of the Kerala Congress. He holds the records of having presented the maximum number of eight budgets in the Kerala Legislative Assembly as Finance Minister and also as the...
formerly in KC(M) - P. J. JosephP. J. JosephP. J. Joseph is an Indian politician, the leader of the Kerala Congress party in Kerala, and an MLA, representing the Thodupuzha assembly constituency. Since 1990 his party has been part of the Left Democratic Front as an alliance. He has also held various ministerial positions with the Government...
formerly in KC(J) - C. F. ThomasC. F. ThomasChennikkara Francis Thomas, popularly known as C. F. Thomas , is a politician and a member of Kerala Legislative Assembly. He was Minister for Rural Development in the previous Kerala Government...
formerly in KC(M) - P. C. GeorgeP. C. GeorgeP.C. George is the incumbent MLA from Poonjar constituency in Kottayam District of Kerala. George is also vice-chairman of Kerala Congress , a splinter faction of Kerala Congress....
formerly in KC(Secular) - Jose K. ManiJose K. ManiJose K Mani is a politician from Kerala. He belongs to the Kerala Congress party. He is the son of K. M. Mani. He unsuccessfully contested in the parliament election in 2004. He lost to P C Thomas in Muvattupuzha constituency....
formerly in KC(M) - K. Narayana KurupK. Narayana KurupK. Narayana Kurup is a senior leader of Kerala Congress , a splinter faction of Kerala Congress. He was a former Minister and Deputy Speaker in Kerala and a former MLA from Vazhoor in Kottayam district. He is a Hindu Nair.-References:...
formerly in KC(M) - K. Francis George formerly in KC(J)
- T. U. Kuruvila formerly in KC(J)
- Dr. K. C Joseph formerly in KC(J)
- Mons Joseph formerly in KC(J)
- T. S. John formerly in KC(Secular)
- Thomas ChazhikadanThomas ChazhikadanThomas Chazhikadan, a former bank manager and chartered accountant, has been the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Kerala for the Ettumanoor constituency since 1992. He is a member of Kerala Congress .-External links:*...
formerly in KC(M) - Joseph M. Puthussery formerly in KC(M)
- Thomas UnniyadanThomas UnniyadanThomas Unniyadan is a Kerala Congress Leader. He belongs to Kerala Congress . He is a member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly representing Irinjalakuda.He was elected to the KLA in 2006 , 2001 and 2011....
formerly in KC(M)
Current groups other than the united body
- Kerala Congress (B)Kerala Congress (B)Kerala Congress is a registered-unrecognized political party in Kerala, formed by R. Balakrishna Pillai, a former minister of the Government of Kerala. At present, the party has one MLA in the State Legislative Assembly, namely K. B. Ganesh Kumar, who has been representing the Pathanapuram...
led by R. Balakrishna PillaiR. Balakrishna PillaiR. Balakrishna Pillai is an Indian politician, a former Minister of the state of Kerala in India, who has held portfolios like Transport, Electricity. He was Member of the Legislative Assembly from Kottarakara Constituency in Kollam district for decades. He is the Chairman of Kerala Congress, a... - Kerala Congress (Jacob)Kerala Congress (Jacob)Kerala Congress is a registered-unrecognized political party in the Indian state of Kerala. It is a faction of Kerala Congress led by the former minister T. M. Jacob who has held portfolios like Education, Irrigation and Culture in the Kerala Legislative Assembly.-Formation:Kerala Congress was...
led by J Nellore - Kerala Congress (Anti-merger Group) led by P. C. Thomas
Status of Kerala Congress during 2011 Kerala Assembly elections
Both P. J. JosephP. J. Joseph
P. J. Joseph is an Indian politician, the leader of the Kerala Congress party in Kerala, and an MLA, representing the Thodupuzha assembly constituency. Since 1990 his party has been part of the Left Democratic Front as an alliance. He has also held various ministerial positions with the Government...
and P. C. Thomas claimed the party symbol Bicycle and party name Kerala Congress. Registration of the name Kerala Congress was temporarily frozen by the election commission as the arguments were inconclusive. The Joseph group which united with the Mani group was asked to adopt the name of Kerala Congress (M)
Kerala Congress (M)
Kerala Congress is a recognised state level Indian political party in Kerala. It was formed in 1979, through a split from the Kerala Congress. Its leader is K. M. Mani, a former minister of the Government of Kerala. Its chairman was C. F. Thomas...
and its symbol Two leaves. The Thomas group was allotted the name Kerala Congress (Anti-merger Group) and the symbol Chair.