Kottayam: Saji Manjakadambil, who recently resigned as the Kerala Congress district president and chairman of the United Democratic Front (UDF), will soon join the rival National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Manjakadambil has formed a new party titled Kerala Congress Democratic. The plan to join the NDA was disclosed in a meeting he held here. The forum has also extended support to Kottayam NDA candidate Thushar Vellappally.

Manjakadambil is likely to meet Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda, who will be visiting Kottayam today as part of the Lok Sabha poll campaign.

The development comes as a setback for Congress and the UDF. Manjakadambil stepped down from the post alleging that he was neglected and ignored in the party functions and felt insulted.

At present, there are eight Kerala Congress parties. With Saji’s Kerala Congress Democratic party, the number climbs to nine.