KC(M) to hold a straight bat in byelection

Mani says his party will not be neutral and there is no equidistant policy in Chengannur

The Kerala Congress (M) [KC(M)] will hold a straight bat in the May 28 Chengannur byelection. It will not make any announcement about its support.

Asked whether his party would take a neutral position, Kerala Congress (M) chairman K.M. Mani said his party would be active in the byelection. “We will not be neutral. It is not an equidistant policy either. We will not call for a conscience vote too. Our party supporters are politically literate enough to exercise their franchise that would maximise the party’s strength,” he told The Hindu.

Mr. Mani had, on an earlier occasion, said his party would pronounce its stand after the byelection date was announced. Mr. Mani’s new stand was likely to leave the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) leaderships puzzled. Mr. Mani has already made it known that his party will have no truck with the Bharatiya Janata Party at all.

KC(M) veering towards LDF?

There have been speculations off and on that the KC(M) was inching closer to the LDF, with Mr. Mani openly hobnobbing with Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leaders. The CPI(M) also hopes to encash the rift between the Congress and the KC(M) to pull off a repeat victory in this constituency, which was out of its grip for over 20 years. However, the rather strong stand of the Communist Party of India, the second largest party in the LDF, scotched such speculations of any tie-up with the KC(M).

The UDF has been cautious about its relations with the KC(M), with leaders taking care not to shove the KC(M) around. The Opposition coalition has succeeded to a large extent to keep its alliances with the KC(M) on even keel, except for a few hiccups here and there. Congress leaders have surprisingly kept their vitriol against Mr. Mani at a low key, hoping to restore ties to previous levels that fetched the UDF a firm footing in Central Travancore. UDF leaders continue to aver that the disconnect with the KC(M) continues and it is for Mr. Mani to make the first move. But going by Mr. Mani’s statement soon after the byelection date is announced, it seems the first move will not be forthcoming soon.