Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretariat has said there is no obstacle for M.P. Veerendrakumar to gain entry into LDF. The two-day state secretariat meeting which concluded here on Friday discussed the issue. However, the CPM leadership said it was for Veerendrakumar to make his position clear. Sources said on the question of taking K.M. Mani on board, the CPM state secretariat was of the opinion that the matter could be taken up later. It said the issue would be discussed with other constituents of the LDF to elicit their opinion. Party sources said there was no hurry in Mani’s case.
However, the CPM may find it difficult to evolve a consensus on Mani, especially with CPI expressing serious reservations about granting entry to the Kerala Congress (Mani). While all LDF constituents have welcomed the return of those who left the front over minor issues, there are clear differences on the joining hands with Mani. The CPI has pointed out that the LDF had secured massive victory in 2016 Assembly polls on the issue of corruption and aligning with Mani would amount to dishonouring the mandate. Meanwhile, the LDF meeting scheduled to be held on December 17 will discuss issues pertaining to entry of JD(U) in the ruling front.
Not just JD(U), many other parties have been waiting in the queue to gain entry into the LDF. Ahead of the Assembly polls, Francis George-led Janathipathya Kerala Congress of leaders who walked out of Kerala Congress (Mani) had crossed over to LDF camp. Similarly many other smaller outfits including RSP (Leninist – Kovoor Kunjumon), JSS (Gowri Amma), CMP (Arvindakshan), INL faction and Kerala Congress (B) had cooperated with LDF in the Assembly polls with the hope of getting entry into the front. The LDF leadership is keen to continue the tie-up with these smaller parties.
