After Johnny Nellore, KC(J) vice-chairman resigns from party

Idukki: A day after Johnny Nellore resigned from Kerala Congress (Joseph), former Udumbanchola MLA and vice-chairman Mathew Stephen announced his resignation from the party on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters in Thodupuzha, Stephen said he would be joining the party to be announced by Nellore, and the official announcement of the ‘pro-Christian’ party, which will be a part of the BJP-led NDA alliance, will be held on Saturday in Kochi.
Like Nellore, Stephen has also raised the issue of the plight of rubber farmers reeling under low prices for their produce. “I have been in touch with BJP leaders in central Kerala and have held discussions with them on the issue of rubber price,” Stephen told reporters.
It is learnt that the new ‘Christian party’ has the blessing of a prominent bishop in central Kerala, and the leaders of the new political outfit would be holding a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his upcoming visit to Kerala. However, those floating the new political outfit are yet to bring prominent leaders from other political parties on board.