THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPI assistant secretary Sathyan Mokeri has brought more clarity to the question of his party’s stand towards Mr K. M. Mani, saying there is no scope for either an overt or covert link, electoral or otherwise, with the KC (M). “Any association with KC (M) will erode the mass support enjoyed by the LDF, which is a common front, based on the Left programme”.
The big talk of an electoral advantage, in terms of an improvement in the total number of seats for the LDF, comes to naught against the background of the campaign undertaken by the Left against Mr Mani towards the fag-end of the UDF term, alleging that he “bartered the budget for personal gains” and indulged in corruption, especially the bargate.
“Would the people forget the ruckus in the Assembly against Mr Mani’s budget? Where is the counting machine Mr Mani has been accused of using to count hard currency stash at home?” asked Mr Mokeri.
When it was pointed out KC (M) as an electoral ally would improve the LDF vote share by a safe 50 percent plus, Mr Mokeri said, “We got 91 Assembly seats on the strength of the current coalition. An unprincipled alliance will dent the vote share than increase it”.
On the other side, KC (M) leader Mon Joseph, MLA, wanted to know whether there was any use discussing CPM overtures to KC (M) at a time when CPI, the No 2 LDF ally, had banged ther doors, saying it would not be party to a decision to induct our party into the Left alliance.
The prevalent political situation does not warrant KC (M)-LDF tie-up talks. Chairman Mani had said the party would decide at the appropriate time, but this has to be preceded by internal discussions on how the KC (M) constituency benefits by joining hands with either the UDF or the LDF.
He said the LDF budget ignored “our constituency by not making provisions to shore up prices of rubber, cash crops and paddy. The CPM inclination towards the KC (M) should have reflected in a pro-farmer budget, preferably a package to help the farmer and the masses that are backbone”.
“The future alliance or understanding will depend on how positively the front reacts to KC (M) concerns.”
