Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Kerala Congress (Joseph) Factions Clash in Irinjalakuda, Inquiry Ordered
Two groups from the same political party argued and clashed in Irinjalakuda.
The incident happened on Friday afternoon.
One group was holding an event for Thomas Unniyadan.
Another group was meeting party leaders nearby.
Police came and stopped the standoff after about an hour.
Two workers suffered minor injuries.
Party chairman P J Joseph said the party would investigate.
Party leaders described it as a local dispute, while reports also linked it to possible unhappiness over a ministerial post.
Two Kerala Congress (Joseph) worker groups clashed in Irinjalakuda on Friday.
Police said the hour-long standoff caused minor injuries to two workers.
One group organized a felicitation for Thomas Unniyadan, while another held a leadership meeting.
Party chairman P J Joseph ordered an inquiry into the incident.
Reports say Unniyadan may be unhappy about not receiving a ministerial post.
- Who
- Two groups of Kerala Congress (Joseph) workers, including supporters of Thomas Unniyadan, were involved.
- What
- The groups clashed, leaving two workers with minor injuries; the party ordered an inquiry.
- When
- Friday afternoon, September 18.
- Where
- At a leadership-meeting venue in Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, Kerala.
- Why
- The immediate dispute involved competing party events; reports also cited possible dissatisfaction over Unniyadan not receiving a ministerial post.
Unniyadan Supporters
Party Leadership and Local Faction
Competing party events
Unniyadan Supporters
One group reportedly organized a felicitation event for Thomas Unniyadan and claimed to include his supporters and members of the official faction.
Party Leadership and Local Faction
Another group held a leadership meeting for party leaders in the Irinjalakuda Assembly constituency, where the clash occurred.
Meaning of the dispute
Unniyadan Supporters
Reports connected the confrontation to possible dissatisfaction among Unniyadan supporters over his not receiving a ministerial post.
Party Leadership and Local Faction
Minister Mons Joseph characterized the incident as a local issue in Irinjalakuda, while P J Joseph said the matter would be investigated.
- Party
- Kerala Congress (Joseph)
- Location
- Irinjalakuda, Thrissur
- Injuries
- Two party workers suffered minor injuries
- Police response
- Police defused the standoff after about an hour
- Inquiry
- Chairman P J Joseph ordered a party investigation
- Political context
- The party is a constituent of the ruling United Democratic Front
- Reported grievance
- Thomas Unniyadan was reportedly unhappy about not receiving a ministerial post