THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While the CPM state leadership welcomed the decision of Kerala Congress (M) leaders to quit the party, opposition Leader V. S. Achuthanandan struck a different note cautioning the LDF leadership against including them in the front without detailed scrutiny.
Responding to questions on whether Francis George, K. C. Joseph and Antony Raju would be inducted into LDF, the Opposition leader said those who were associated with UDF corruption allegations now wanted to cross over to wash off their stains. “All these issues need to be examined and scrutinised in detail before taking a decision,” he said.
The veteran leader is particularly against having people like Antony Raju on board. During the Mani bar bribe case saga, he was the one who resolutely defended the former finance minister.
However, CPM leadership is keen on having rebel leaders on board ahead of the Assembly elections to make gains especially in central Kerala. They say the Francis George-led group had come out of the party taking a stand against Mani’s corruption and hence should be given due consideration.
CPM politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan had already made it clear that the LDF would welcome KC (M) leaders with or without P. J. Joseph. Since Mr Joseph’s exist from LDF on the eve of 2011 polls, the CPM had been trying desperately to fill that void. Now with the rebel leaders coming out of the party, the party believe that it is the right opportunity to make inroads into the Christian belt.
At the moment, the breakaway group of Scaria Thomas and V. Surendran Pillai are with the LDF. The CPM leadership, however, wants all break away groups from the Kerala Congress (M) to come together as one block to become an ally of LDF.
It is against entertaining splinter groups as allies or partners of the LDF.
During the 2011 polls, the LDF allotted Thiruvananthapuram, Changanassery, Kothamangalam and Idukki seats. If Scaria Thomas comes on board two more seats are likely to be allotted.
