Thiruvananthapuram: The LDF state committee on Thursday decided to induct Kerala Congress (M) led by Jose K Mani as a constituent of LDF. All existing constituents welcomed the party to the front during the state committee meeting held here. The LDF also decided to include KC(M) in seat distribution talks for local body polls that will begin soon.
“When voters who support KC(M) start supporting LDF, UDF’s destruction will become faster. It will soon shrink to a one- or two-party front. We hope to gain a major edge in the local body polls because of the new developments. It will also brighten our chances for continuance in governance,” said LDF convener A Vijayaraghavan. To a query, he said KC(M) hasn’t placed any conditions before LDF during negotiations.
Sources in LDF said the same concern was raised by NCP state president T P Peethambaran in the LDF meeting. NCP leader Mani C Kappan represents Pala seat, the home turf of Jose K Mani and there were reports that Jose will seek Pala seat to contest in next assembly poll. CM Pinarayi Vijayan, who presided over the meeting, said there hadn’t been any discussion on seat sharing with the new party. He said all such matters would be discussed by LDF only prior to polls.
Jose welcomed the LDF decision. “This is a recognition for the politics upheld by K M Mani sir and for the people who have aligned with that politics,” he said. On October 14, Jose announced the decision to associate with LDF. CPM welcomed the decision that day itself and CPI state executive approved the proposal on Wednesday.
KC(M) will be the fourth Kerala Congress faction in the LDF. KC(B) led by R Balakrishna Pillai, KC(Scaria Thomas) led by ex-MP Scaria Thomas and Democratic Kerala Congress are the existing factions. With two MLAs — N Jayaraj and Roshy Augustine and Lok Sabha MP Thomas Chazhikadan — KC(M) will be the biggest Kerala Congress faction.
LDF didn’t discuss the case of RSP (Leninist) led by MLA Kovoor Kunjumon though he had submitted a request seeking entry into the front. “We will continue to cooperate with all parties and groups which support us. Our approach is to strengthen the coordination with all such groups and necessary directives to include them during local body poll seat sharing talks have been given,” said Vijayaraghavan, when asked about the status of Kunjumon’s request.
LDF state panel decided to draft a manifesto for the local body polls.