THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP leader V. Muraleedharan has ruffled the feathers of the party leaders by his critical remarks against Kerala Congress(M) leader K.M. Mani ahead of the Chengannur by-election. NDA candidate P. S. Sreedharan Pillai said in Chengannur that he did not agree with Mr Muraleedharan's view that Mr Mani is a cheat and a fraudster. He maintained that in politics there was no untouchability. BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan had also said that anyone who agrees with NDA’s policies were welcome to join it.
Mr Muraleedharan has also earned the displeasure of a section of leaders for not keeping them in the loop over his Rajya Sabha plans. "Muraleedharan is again playing cheap politics. Now he wants to ensure that Mani and his son Jose K. Mani do not join the NDA so that his position is safe. If Jose K. Mani comes to the NDA, then Muraleedharan's chances to become a union minister will be bleak. He played the same game against BDJS leadership too," a senior BJP leader told DC.
The anti-Muraleedharan group is planning to apprise the central leadership that his stand will spoil the chances of Mr Sreedharan Pillai in the poll. Mr Pillai has been seeking the support of community leaders like SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan and NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair. Former BJP state president and national executive member P. K. Krishnadas had met Mr Sukumaran Nair at Perunna the other day. But Mr Sukumaran Nair has always followed an 'equi-distance' policy, said sources.
