THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP state president Kummanam Rajashekharan said K.M. Mani's decision to maintain equidistance from the two major fronts in the state was a politically significant statement. Coming as it is from a seasoned politician who has a vast experience in state politics, Mr Mani's words have to be seen in that context and viewed seriously. Clearly his statement has generated lot of curiosity in political circles here in the state.
The BJP leader, however, added that it was up to the veteran Kerala Congress leader to make public his stand. "We expect him to explain his future political course," he said. The BJP state president's statement comes in the wake of Mr Mani making it clear that he would maintain equidistance from the UDF and LDF. With the Kerala Congress veteran stopping short of commenting on his party's stand towards the NDA, his words are being interpreted in different ways.
While the Congress and Left circles say that Mani's statement indicated that he would like to be a political entity independent of the two fronts and also NDA. However, political observers do not rule out the possibility of Mr Mani hobnobbing with the NDA which is desperately looking for allies in Kerala.
The BJP believes that getting a top leader like Mr Mani on board, who also represents the dominant Christian community of Central Travancore, will definitely raise the stock of the party besides helping it emerge as a major player in the state. It will also help the BJP shed its anti-minority image in the state. Clearly all eyes are on Mr Mani's next move which is likely to be announced on Sunday.
