Welcoming Jose faction: LDF in no undue haste

Thiruvananthapuram: A few days ago, when the dispute over the post of Kottayam district panchayat president was brewing in KC(M), chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan refused to comment on the issue saying that it pertained to a constituent of UDF. On Monday, after UDF suspended the KC(M) faction led by Jose K Mani, he said nothing is permanent in politics.
When asked whether LDF would welcome Jose K Mani faction, CM didn’t give a clear reply.“Decisions will be taken based on evolving circumstances. Let them take a stand first,” he said, with a word of caution that there was no need to show unnecessary haste.
The warming up of CPM towards Jose faction was clearer from the way Vijayan dealt with the question on the possibility of the suspended faction joining the BJP camp. “Don’t dub him (Jose K Mani) and his party as entities without a political stance,” he said.
Though the ouster of Mani faction was a surprise to party cadres, the leadership is learnt to have foreseen such a move. It is reliably learnt that Jose K Mani and his confidants were in touch with senior CPM leaders, including state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, following the worsening of the situation in Kottayam.
The public endorsement of PJ Joseph faction by senior Congress leader Oommen Chandy was the moment of realization for Jose K Mani. Though Jose K Mani faction had warmed up to LDF in the past, the stand of CPI, against them, was a deterrent. The CPI’s official position is against aligning with Jose K Mani faction and it cited the bar bribery allegations against party founder (late) K M Mani for its aversion.
Sources close to recent developments told TOI that an immediate entry of the Mani faction into LDF won’t happen. “At first, they will detach from UDF and work as an independent party. When local body polls happen, it will enter into a tacit understanding with LDF in central Travancore districts. Jose K Mani is confident of winning seats in several panchayats and three district panchayats. By proving the worth of the party through polls, it can easily bargain for a berth in the front,” said a source. CPM also feels that with a proven mass base, convincing CPI about the need to accommodate Jose K Mani will be an easier task.
BJP is also planning to woo the Mani faction. Winning the confidence of KC(M) was one challenge which BJP failed despite years of hard work. The new developments have prompted BJP to restart negotiations with the faction. A berth in the Union cabinet would be the offer for Jose K Mani; but the lack of support from other leaders and cadres may prompt him to tread cautiously.