This story is from July 3, 2020

CPM, CPI differ over Jose faction’s entry into LDF

PM and CPI have expressed contrasting views over the kind of alliance with Jose K Mani faction of Kerala Congress (M) which has drifted away from UDF following differences over Kottayam district panchayat president post.
CPM, CPI differ over Jose faction’s entry into LDF
Kodiyeri Balakrishnan
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/KOTTAYAM: CPM and CPI have expressed contrasting views over the kind of alliance with Jose K Mani faction of Kerala Congress (M) which has drifted away from UDF following differences over Kottayam district panchayat president post.
CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan wrote an article in party mouthpiece signalling party’s soft stand towards the Jose faction. He said the Kerala Congress has a mass base in Kottayam and with the party coming out of the UDF, the Congress-led front is going to disintegrate in Kottayam district.
The UDF had started disintegrating in the state when Loktantric Janata Dal quit the front and joined hands with the LDF, Kodiyeri said.
However, CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran refuted the claim made by Balakrishnan that Jose has mass base in Kottayam district. “Everyone realised his mass base in Pala bypoll. The Christian vote bank is not the monopoly of anyone. The LDF will also get the Christian votes; this was proved in the bypoll,’’ Rajendran said.
No discussion has occurred in the LDF on inviting the Jose faction to the front. Hence there is no point in answering the queries on whether the Kerala Congress faction will be joining the LDF fold, he added.
On whether the CPI is worried over its prominence in the LDF if Kerala Congress faction is invited to the LDF fold, the CPI state secretary said, “The CPI has 19 MLAs and Jose K Mani faction has only 2 MLAs. Then how will CPI be affected?’’
“Mani C Kappan could win the Pala bypoll because the LDF stood united. The LDF can win and come back to power without the support of Kerala Congress,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said he was happy that LDF and its leaders realized the strength of his party. The Left leaders are aware of party’s clout in central Travancore, he said.

Jose reiterated that expelling them from the UDF was injustice. Either a notice or a ‘no trust’ had to be moved before expelling them in the name of district panchayat president post, he said.
Kerala Congress is a party with a strong base and it can show its strength even if it is not part of any political front, he said. Jose also said no talks have been held with any fronts.
Pala MLA Mani C Kappen has welcomed Jose into the LDF. However, he said even if Jose comes into the LDF he won’t be given Pala seat. “I have got the assurance from the LDF,” he said.
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA