Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Congress (M) chairman K.M. Mani on Thursday termed the CPM- KC (M) shocker in Kottayam district panchayat on Wednesday as “unfortunate” and “a local” operation, reflecting the deep resentment within his party towards any deal with the LDF.
Mr Mani held out the olive branch to the Congress leadership by ensuring his party’s unstinted support in the election of Congress nominee Sheela Thomas as the vice-president in Vazhappally panchayat in Changanacherry. He did not raise a whimper even though Congress councillors boycotted the election of KC (M) nominee for president in Mutholi panchayat in Pala.
KPCC acting president M M Hassan was unconvinced by the overture, saying both Mr Mani and son Jose K Mani, MP, who did a Judas, would regret the “backstab” and “languish in hell forever”.
Congress, though decimated in the Assembly polls, is acting tough against Mr Mani and his son, sensing their alienation within the party. KC (M) senior leader P J Joseph also termed the “vote” unfortunate and the Mani lieutenant, Mr E J Agasthy contradicted his boss, confirming that Wednesday’s development was with the knowledge of the party leadership.
A top KC (M) leader told DC that Mr Mani had stopped consulting the party leaders and crucial decisions are taken by a coterie, led by Mr Jose Mani. “It’s as if we have no stake in the party. Even the latest decision has been unilateral, without any forethought about its short and long-term ramifications. The party has been left smarting under the blow”.
This being the reality, Congress leaders felt emboldened to work on KC (M) leaders individually, persuading them to stay with the UDF and not be part of the “tainted” family Incorp.
Both Congress and KC (M) leaders believe the latest misadventure betrays Mr Mani’s loosening grip on the reality. He failed to anticipate the Congress riposte, leaving his return to the UDF a closed chapter, at least for now.
Mr Mani, with his electoral clout sapped by miscalculations, lends the CPM bigger bargaining power and the option to induct Mr Mani into the LDF on its own terms at a time of its choice because he cannot turn back to Congress for refuge.
This is so unlike Mr Mani, the architect of serial splits and never did a flop show.
