THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Congress (Mani) chairman K. M. Mani on Thursday said he would take an appropriate stand on alliance before the next Lok Sabha elections. However, party deputy chairman C. F. Thomas demanded a leadership change and the alliance discussed, exposing the chinks in his armour. Mr Mani said all the issues including the party's entry to either the LDF or the UDF would be discussed in detail. He took a veiled attack on the UDF saying some leaders anticipated KC (M)'s downfall when they parted ways.
"But nothing of that sort happened," he told reporters in Kottayam before the crucial state committee meeting. "We have become stronger instead." He said his party had already "proved mettle" by standing independently without being a part of any fronts. There is no way he can be pressured to take a stand on entering a front being a legislator for more than five decades.
But party sources told DC that he was, in fact, trying to ward off the pressure from within as the Joseph faction is unhappy with him. "A detailed discussion has to be held on the party's entry into one of the political fronts. Currently, there is no discussion on the change of guard in the party," said C. F. Thomas. Now one thing is clear. In the coming days, the fissures within the party are expected to come in the open. Mr Mani is addressing a rally at Nehru Stadium on Friday.
