K M Mani wants separate block, Congress in tight spot
Mani has sought legal advise on sitting as a separate block in Legislative Assembly.
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Congress (M) chief K. M. Mani has sought legal advice on the possibility of sitting as a separate block in the Legislative Assembly intending to give a rude shock to the Congress. Currently, there are six MLAs with the KC (M). Ever since former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala attended the betrothal ceremony of bar owner Biju Ramesh's daughter with former revenue minister Adoor Prakash's son, things have not been rosy between the allies.
Mr Mani has called a party secretariat meeting in Kottayam on Sunday which would discuss the future course of action. But what is worrying Mr Mani is that MLAs P. J. Joseph (Thodupuzha) and Mons Joseph (Kaduthuruthy) are not keen on the move to sit as a separate block. The other three Roshy Augustine (Idukki), C. F. Thomas (Changanassery) and N. Jayaraj (Kanjirappally) are willing to follow Mani’s dictum.
Party sources told DC that Mr Mani had been wounded over Congress cornering him purposefully in the bar scam. “It is unclear whether a conclusive decision will be taken against the Congress at Sunday’s meeting regarding sitting on a separate block in the Assembly. Ever since Mr Chandy and Mr Chennithala attended the betrothal ceremony, Mr Mani and company feel beleaguered and wounded,” said a KC (M) source.
Mr Mani is not keen to see his party split which has delayed the move to have a separate block. They are also upset with the AICC leadership as Saji Manjakadambil, Youth Front (M) president, is yet to hear from them after shooting off a memorandum seeking their intervention. However, they are already aware that problems are galore for Congress within their stable with factionalism ruling the roost.
KPCC leadership is also looking at the developments with bated breath hoping that the party will not split. What is worrying the Congress most is that if Mr Mani decides to go ahead with his plan, it will only give added ammunition to the LDF in the Assembly and outside.