Indicating a ‘free left’, KC(M) mega meet concludes

The high-voltage Kerala Congress(M) mega conference concluded here on Saturday without any major political announcement, but giving indications of the direction in which the party is heading.
KC(M) vice chairman Jose K Mani speaking to party chairman K M Mani during the press conference after the conclusion of the party’s three-day conclave in Kottayam on Saturday. Working chairman P J Joseph looks on |  Vishnu Prathap
KC(M) vice chairman Jose K Mani speaking to party chairman K M Mani during the press conference after the conclusion of the party’s three-day conclave in Kottayam on Saturday. Working chairman P J Joseph looks on | Vishnu Prathap

KOTTAYAM: The high-voltage Kerala Congress(M) mega conference concluded here on Saturday without any major political announcement, but giving ample indications of the political direction in which the party is headed. Though the KC(M) brass desisted from making an open statement on its foray into any of the political fronts as expected, party chairman K M Mani and vice chairman Jose K Mani dropped enough hints of gravitating towards the LDF. Nonetheless, the party put on hold the announcement of a decision, apparently waiting for a favourable situation to emerge and resolve the rumblings within.

While Jose K Mani revisited the ‘backstabbing’ episode, which was cited for the KC(M) severing its three-decade long ties with the UDF, in his welcome speech at the public meeting held the other day, K M Mani on Saturday, endorsed the former’s words while talking to reporters. Replying to a pointed question on the ‘backstabbing’ statement, Mani said Jose’s words were self-explanatory and those, whom the words were aimed at, understood its intended meaning. 

Mani ruled out the possibility of making up with the UDF when his attention was drawn to the UDF’s open invite to return to its fold. “Can we react favourably to all such invites? We have to be careful before embarking somewhere,” he said. Interestingly, even while keeping alive the discussions on KC(M)’s political stance, the three-day party conference did not discuss political issues in any of the stages, but highlighted and discussed the issues of farmers only.

While leaders, including Mani, P J Joseph and others highlighted farmers’ issues during their address at the public meeting, Saturday’s delegates’ meeting also ended up with discussions on a draft document on agriculture policy. “There were no discussions on political issues. As directed earlier, farmers’ issues came up for discussions  at the delegates’ meeting,” said a senior KC (M) leader.The meeting termed the conclave a runaway success on the basis of the massive participation from the public and the organisational skills .

‘Decision on political foray soon’Kerala Congress (M) chairman K M Mani reiterated the party will take a decision on entering  a political front sooner than later. “Wait for some more time for a decision on the KC(M)’s entry into a political front. The KC (M) is not a party which takes decisions on the spur of the moment. We consider all  aspects before taking a decision. A decision on the party’s political foray will be taken without much delay,” he told reporters after the delegates’ meeting.

He said the KC(M) will join hands with parties which accepted its demands. “We have some  demands and we will associate with those, who are ready to cooperate. For the time being, we will remain independent and we are ready to associate with parties, which display trust and love,” Mani said. 
On CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran’s statement the KC (M) will not be inducted into the LDF, Mani said the KC(M) had not submitted an application seeking entry into any political front. Mani also denied reports of a clamour for change of guard in the KC(M) saying the party has a collective leadership.

K M Mani has no place  in LDF, says Kanam
Malappuram:
Reiterating his stand, CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran on Saturday said the LDF doesn’t need K M Mani. The CPI leader, who favoured admitting the JD(U) and RSP’s re-entry to the ruling combine, told reporters here the Mani-led Kerala Congress (M) couldn’t be included in the LDF. Kanam, who was here to attend the CPI district conference said, “Not only the JD(U) but the RSP can join the front as they were part of the LDF. It’s upto these parties to take the appropriate decision. The front doesn’t need a party of opportunists and those who are tainted.”

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