Rebel threat for Puthussery from own party in Thiruvalla

Thiruvananthapuram: The UDF is still experiencing trouble in seats like Thiruvalla, Chengannur, Ranni, Irikkur and Tharoor over the candidate selection. In Thiruvalla, the situation has worsened with Rajya Sabha vice-chairman P J Kurien himself coming out in open against Joseph M Puthussery of Kerala Congress (Mani).
Puthussery is now faced with a rebel from his own party Raju Pullimpully, who has the support of P J Kurien and KC (M) leader Victor T Thomas, who was the UDF candidate in 2011.Kurien and his followers have told the KPCC president that they wouldn't accept Puthussery, who had campaigned against the UDF candidate in 2011 elections.
Even though V M Sudheeran had a discussion with Kurien and the church leaders no solution could be found. By Friday evening the Kurien camp decided to field a rebel candidate against Puthussery. Sources said that chief minister Oommen Chandy is likely to have talks with the church leaders and K M Mani to solve the crisis. Around 12 mandalam committees and three block committees of the Congress have opposed the candidature of Puthussery.
Similarly, in Chengannur, the Congress is facing a tough task as former MLA Sobhana George is contesting against sitting MLA P C Vishnunath. Sobhana George had threatened to contest the election in 2011 too but Oommen Chandy persuaded her to withdraw from the fray. However this time the Congress leadership has not made any attempt to persuade Shobana George.
In Ranni, Benny Puthanparambil, a block panchayat member of the Congress, has emerged as a rebel candidate against Mariamma Cheriyan. In Tharoor both Kerala Congress (Jacob) and the Congress has announced names of the candidates. Even though the seat was given to Kerala Congress (Jacob) they were unable to find a suitable candidate here. Hence the Congress decided to take back the seat from them. Now the leaders are having discussions to resolve the crisis.