THIRUVANANTHAPRUAM: As the crucial Chengannur bypoll draws closer, the CPI is making all the right noises to woo Kerala Congress supremo K.M. Mani. CPI central secretariat member Binoy Viswam was the latest to declare that LDF would accept votes from everyone in Chengannur including Kerala Congress. The CPI leaders have been making these statements repeatedly to mollify Mr Mani who was annoyed over their earlier stand.
CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran who had all along maintained that the LDF would not accept votes from tainted Kerala Congress, had made U-turn last week. He said the LDF candidate Saji Cherian would accept votes of each and every voter. The CPI leadreship was earlier of the opinion that Mani's support was not required for LDF candidate's victory in the bypoll.
However under pressure from the CPM which is not prepared to take any chances in Chengannur, the CPI was forced to change its position. Mr Mani has claimed that he has over 3500 votes in the constituency. Despite differences with a section of leaders, Mr Mani has given enough hints about supporting LDf in the bypoll. In an article in the party magazine, Mr Mani eulogised Pinarayi Vijayan as the mascot of development.
