UDF chorus to bring back KM Mani gets louder

Thiruvananthapuram: UDF leaders have joined hands to bring back KC (M) chairman K.M. Mani. Muslim League leader P.K. Kunhalikutty had openly said he will take the initiative to bring back Mr Mani. With two years left for the Lok Sabha elections, the UDF is keen to strengthen the front.

Immediately after Mr Kunhalikutty’s candidature was confirmed, he sought the support of Mr Mani which the latter wholeheartedly agreed to lend when the election is due on April 12.

However, a prominent UDF leader told this newspaper that contrary to reports, it was Mr Mani’s inititiative as he is desperate to tie his party leaders to a political front. He added that though the CPM held secret talks with Mr Mani earlier, opposition within the LDF backfired.

“Now, majority of the UDF leaders have raised their demand individually. There is no news on when the next UDF meeting is scheduled, but with Malappuram byelection, the front meeting is expected to happen one of these days. Then we will discuss the issue of Mr Mani being brought back to UDF. However, Mr Mani is never going to get his bargaining power,” said a prominent UDF leader.

A senior UDF leader was surprised at the way in which the Congress leaders are taking the initiative to invite Mr Mani after objecting to it earlier.

“I doubt if Mani will return as he knows that his son and Kottayam MP Jose K. Mani will not get the LS seat again. If at all he is being given the seat then the local Congress leaders will only ensure the junior Mani’s defeat,” said another UDF leader.