Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress leadership has decided not to provoke or placate the KC (M) and its chairman K.M. Mani who broke with the UDF on Sunday. This was decided by the leaders of the Congress and the allies who met at Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala’s official residence here on Monday. Though Mr Mani had been blaming a section of the Congress leadership for trapping him in the bar scam, Mr Chennithala has made it clear that he had no role in it.
Congress leaders have been careful in their reaction to Mr Mani’s decision as the Opposition has claimed that Mr Mani’s exit had sounded the death knell of the UDF. Mr Mani said that his party was not scared of anyone and that it will stand alone. He told reporters in Pala that the KC (M) had proved its strength by standing alone in 1965 and ‘67 and that it will remain the same again.
“The party took such a decision and is ready to face any consequences. If Muslim League wants to hold talks with us, I welcome it. We have got cordial relations with the League and if they want to meet us, they are most welcome,” he said. Referring to KPCC president V M Sudheeran’s statement that Mr Mani had lost all political credibility, he quipped, “those who do not want us in the UDF will say many things when we go out. Congress mouthpiece Veekshanam is also doing the same.”
Mr Mani also said that it was Mr Chennithala’s view that the KC(M) was revolting due to the poll debacle. With Mani’s departure, the UDF's strength in the Assembly has come down from 47 to 41. Mr Mani's party had been with the UDF since 1982 and he has been a legislator since 1967.
