Oommen Chandy, Chennithala lose cool on KM Mani

Thiruvananthapuram: Former chief minister Oommen Chandy and Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala have come out with an unusually strong reaction against K. M. Mani’s alliance in Kottayam. They said Mr Mani and his party had shown "a lack of political ethics."

"It’s a political betrayal," said Mr Chandy, who is known for measured political words, adding the doors of the UDF had been permanently closed on him.
He would obviously be upset with the turn of events in his home district as DCC president Joshy Philip is his nominee.  "When Mr Mani and KC (M) decided to leave the front, they had not provided valid reasons," he told reporters on Wednesday.

He went on to add that Congress kept its decorum when Mr Mani left the front.  "It is interesting to note the way in which CPM has taken a somersault. They did not have much time to ponder about their change of stand. Within hours they found favour with him," he added.

Mr Chennithala said the opportunistic stand had been the first of its kind Kerala's political scene witnessed. "UDF is not open to him as this front does not allow him to leave in the morning and return in the evening," he said. "Political betrayal and horse trading have happened. Congress will never tolerate it."

His words were a strong message on the future of Mani's son, which is at stake when he contests from Kottayam in 2019. He also alleged that wresting control over Kottayam district panchayat was stage managed by the CPM leadership. Fortunately, he said, the CPI showed its political ethics.

Both the top Congress leaders echoed that the decision of the CPM to elevate Mani as a saint had exposed the true colours of the left party. Kerala Congress (Jacob) chairman Johnny Nellore took a cautious stand saying he felt it as a "sentiment in the district" which is not statewide.

He told DC that the Congress and KC (M) had strained relations in Kottayam. “Mr Mani should explain the details if a contract had been signed between Congress and KC (M). If so, it should have been maintained,” he said.

UDF coordination committee meeting is scheduled to take place on May 9 at Cantonment House. There are reports that Congress is also most likely to call its high profile Political Affairs Committee on the same day coinciding with the visit of Congress MP Sudarshan Nachiappan, the returning officer for its organisational elections. The Mani issue is likely to be discussed in both the meetings.