CPI wary of CPM move to bring KC into Front

Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has yet again indicated his party’s eagerness to get K. M. Mani-led Kerala Congress into the LDF fold.

At the Kottayam district conference which ended on Thursday, he reportedly told delegates that the option of bringing Kerala Congress and Muslim League into the LDF fold was open.

The CPI has been a coalition partner of the LDF since 1980, and the CPM would try to convince them about the need for bringing in new parties into the front.
His remarks came in response to a section of delegates demanding a tie-up with Kerala Congress even at the cost of CPI.

However, he clarified that any forward movement on the issue would be possible only after Mr Mani made his stand clear. So far he has not given any indications.

A section of delegates felt that the issue should not be prolonged until Lok Sabha polls in 2019. The discussions at the conference clearly reflected the thinking among party cadre in the district about having a tie-up with KCM.

But getting KCM on board may not be easy for the CPM given the stiff opposition of the CPI. The party believes that induction of Mr Mani would be a deviation from the Left's well-stated stand against corruption.

The CPI leaders say a tie-up with Mani will be construed as political opportunism and going against the massive mandate given to LDF on the issue of corruption.
Instead of going after Mr Mani and Muslim League, the Left particularly the CPM, should work for strengthening left, democratic, secular and corruption-free parties.

They reiterated that nineteen was bigger than nine while referring to the party’s and KCM’s existing strength in Assembly.