THIRUVANANTHAPURM: CPI has toughened its stand against the inclusion of Kerala Congress (M) leader K. M. Mani in the ruling LDF. CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran said there are reports in the media that a bride was getting decked up at a mega conference in Kottayam and has even given the consent. "But let me make it clear such people are not required in the LDF at the moment," he said at a public meeting in Malappuram. The CPI state secretary was referring to the Kerala Congress meeting in Kottayam on Saturday to discuss its future course of action.
He said there was no discussion yet in LDF to whitewash Mr Mani. "If any discussion on Mani comes up within the front, our party will say a big no to him," he added. Mr Rajendran said time had not come yet to forget the corruption cases related to bar bribe case. He, however, said M. P. Veerendrakumar and RSP were welcome to return to the LDF fold. CPI state secretary's statement comes on the eve of the crucial LDF meeting being held here to discuss the possibility of including Mr Veerendrakumar in the front.
However, the CPI is not keen to have a tie up with K. M. Mani who had faced serious allegations in bar bribe case. CPI has serious reservations against anyone bargaining with LDF for a berth in the ruling front. According to a section of CPI leaders, there was no need for any immediate expansion of the front. Instead, the LDF government should concentrate on implementing the promises made in its manifesto.
Since one of the major promises on which the LDF secured massive mandate was corruption-free government, any move to bring Mr Mani closer to the front would only be counterproductive besides denting the image of the coalition. Therefore the LDF leadership needs to be cautious while taking any decision on expanding the front, the CPI camp points out. The CPI believes that JDU had left the LDF camp over personal and electoral issues and not on any serious ideological or policy differences. Similarly, the RSP had left the LDF over minor differences ahead of 2014 Lok Sabha polls. At the national level majority of RSP leaders continue to be part of the Left Front comprising six parties.
