Thiruvananthapuram: Even though the Congress high command refused to intervene in Kerala Congress issue, KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran who is in Delhi along with former chief minister Oommen Chandy and opposition leader Ramesh Chennithaa to discuss party issues, said he was hopeful that K. M. Mani will not leave UDF. Sudheeran told mediaperson that Oommen Chandy had been entrusted with the task of holding discussions with Mani. He expected the two leaders to sort out the issue amicably through bilateral discussions.
Meanwhile K. M. Mani returned from Catholic Retreat Centre in Kottayam where he spent four days in prayer, on Thursday evening. During this period, there were severe restrictions on visitors and even phone calls. In his first reaction after coming out of the Retreat Centre, Mani said his party would play the role of a constructive opposition. However, he stopped short of saying whether his party would sit with UDF or as a separate block in Assembly.
A concrete decision in this connection will be taken at the Charalkunnu leadership camp on August 6 and 7, he said. Chandy is likely to hold discussions with Mani after his return from Delhi on Friday. It may be recalled that Kerala Congress had almost decided to sit as a separate block in Assembly. A final decision on whether to remain with the UDF or party ways with the front would be taken at the leadership camp.
The Congress leadership is desperate to mollify the KC(M) supremo ahead of the leadership camp. The Congress is utilising the services of Chandy since Mani is not keen to talk to any of the UDF leaders including Sudheeran and opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala. Even Muslim League leader P K Kunhalikutty’s mediation had failed to achieve the desired results. In a related development BDJS president Tushar Vellapally said Mani was innocent and the case against him was politically motivated. Mani is welcome to join NDA if he is interested in making such a political move.
