THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The UDF liaison committee meet held here on Friday decided to desist from extending an open invitation to the Kerala Congress (M) and its supremo K M Mani. Reactions whatsoever from the UDF and coalition partners, henceforth, will be aired only after the KC(M) makes its political stand clear.
Leaders expressed their displeasure over the repeated attempts made to woo the Kerala Congress (M) into the UDF fold, with JD (U) representatives pointing out the statements of KPCC acting chief M M Hassan have dented the image of the front. Congress should air its opinion only after discussing with alliance partners, felt leaders.
Hassan said he had only given a clarification to the media regarding the attitude towards KC(M). It was not accepted at its face value, though all participants were unanimous the doors should be kept open for Mani. The criticism raised by Sheikh P Harris (JD-U) was supported by K Muraleedharan, who said it is for Mani to take a final call.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said repeated calls for Mani’s return and the latter’s rejection would harm the interests of the UDF.
P K Kunhalikutty said he was willing to mediate with Mani. The IUML leader said Mani had dissuaded him from announcing the party’s homecoming to UDF when he declared support to him in the recent Malappuram Lok Sabha bypoll. UDF convenor P P Thankanchan told reporters the front had extended an open invitation to Mani. “The invitation remains live. The ball is in the court of Mani,” he said.
Forward Bloc made partner
Long term Left ally Forward Bloc (Devarajan faction) was made an associate of the UDF. The FB faction had campaigned for the UDF in the last Assembly polls. The meet also decided to induct former KPCC presidents K Muraleedharan and V M Sudheeran and IUML leaders M K Muneer and P V Abdul Wahab into the liaison committee .
CPM cannot stop a united UDF
The meet felt apart from the personal pull of Kunhalikutty, it was the total unity in the UDF that ensured a handsome victory in the Malappuram bypoll, said P P Thankachan.
“The CPM or the LDF won’t be able to counter a united UDF. With warring coalition partners and only failures to depict in all issues, the foundation of the ruling front is crumbling. In 1967, the EMS ministry could not survive for more than two years, despite having the support of 111 MLAs. The future of the government cannot be predicted,” he said.