A litmus test for KM Mani

Kottayam: Accepting the CPM support in the Kottayam district panchayat president election was a litmus test by Kerala Congress (M) supremo K.M. Mani for his future moves. He wanted to decipher its resonances inside his party, among the public and in the LDF.

He would take decisions only by the feedback he gets on this, widely considered as a precursor for joining the LDF. He may backtrack if the response is overwhelmingly negative.

It is apparent that the decision was primarily taken by Mr Mani and his son Jose K. Mani, as a large number of the party workers and none of its MLAs were not aware of it.

“If the feedback is favourable, he may proceed,” said a source. Mr Mani himself had made it clear that he was not in a hurry and his decision would come before the 2019 next parliamentary elections.

If it backfires, he will seek the help of Oommen Chandy or IUML leader P.K. Kunhalikutty for a UDF re-entry. Already, KC (M) MLAs, mainly Mons Joseph, the legislator from Kaduthuruthy, a UDF bastion, have strong objections.

Idukki MLA Roshy Augustine too is against joining the LDF for the same reason.
Kanjirapally MLA N. Jayaraj also may oppose the move since he may lose his constituency to CPI. The move of P.J. Joseph, aggrieved at being sidelined, will also be crucial.

Crucially, the response of Mr Mani just after the win also signals caution. He lightened it as a ‘regional adjustment’ and said the KC (M) had no special interests towards any fronts.