UDF braces for storm over KM Mani

Thiruvananthapuram: To resign or not that is the question facing Mr K.M. Mani against whom the Vigilance has registered a case in the bargate scam.

With the Opposition bent on forcing him out and stalling the Assembly which will meet for four more days from Monday,  the UDF is facing an uneasy time.

Though KC (M) leaders maintain that Mr Mani does not have to resign, all is not well  on the home front as well. The party has also thought of an alternative  for Mr Mani in the cabinet.  

The seniormost KC(M) leader after Mr Mani is the party deputy leader and former rural development minister C. F. Thomas who may replace the finance minister in case he  has to step down.

“But chief whip P. C. George is likely to create ruckus if such a situation arises. Another senior leader Thomas Unniyadan is also eyeing the cabinet berth.  The next four days of Assembly proceedings from Monday will be crucial,”  said a KC (M) leader.  

Mr George said on Saturday that Mr Mani’s act was  a huge blow to the KC (M). He lamented that though the slogan of the KC (M) was  corruption-free governance, it had deviated from its principles.

UDF sources told Deccan Chronicle that though Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had initiated damage control measures with Mr Mani on Friday when the former visited him at his official residence, Mr Mani was bitter. 

KC (M) leaders feel that the Congress could have avoided such a situation for Mr Mani.  

“Mani’s allegation that there has been a political conspiracy against him was directed against  the Congress,”  said  the KC (M) leader.

But the Congress camp believes that Mr Mani need not  resign and that the Opposition’s agitation will fizzle out soon.