KOTTAYAM: The swift decision of the dissidents in Kerala Congress (M) led by Francis George to quit the party, appeared to have downturned the possibilities of another Kerala Congress faction-led by P C George to find a berth in the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Though, Francis George and team has not officially entered into a tie-up with the LDF, the Left camp is likely to prefer a larger faction, led by Francis, which is having comparatively wider network, to their side, rather Kerala Congress (secular), which has already witnessed a split with its senior leader and chairman T S John claiming the registration of the party. Meanwhile, speaking to Express, George dismissed the possibilities of the split in KC(M) affecting his entry in to LDF.
“The discussions regarding entry of my party into LDF has almost been completed. I will contest as an LDF candidate in Poonjar Assembly constituency,” he said. Meanwhile, he didn’t hide his displeasure over the development in KC(M). “A movement led by two or three people cannot be considered as Joseph group coming out of KC (M). Moreover, there is no indication that any of the committees in KC(M) is with this group. Apart from that they do not even blame Chief Minister Oommen Chandy for his corruption but train their gun only on K M Mani. How can they be Leftist, if they cannot attack CM?,” he asked.
Besides this, if KC factions led by P C George and Francis George are accommodated in LDF, there will be three KC parties which will not auger well for the front as well, as it will have to concede more seats, which may likely to be opposed by other allies in the front, especially the CPI.
At the same time, a section in the CPM district leadership and its youth wing organisations have already expressed strong reservation against inducting P C George in the LDF.
‘Split Will Not Affect UDF Unity’
Kozhikode: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Friday said that the unity of the United Democratic Front would not be affected following the walking out of a few individuals from the Kerala Congress (M) led by K M Mani. “The UDF’s unity is intact. The KC(M) is an important constituent of the UDF and we don’t have any issues with the KC(M). We have been discussing the seat-sharing issues with the KC(M) and will fight elections unitedly,” Chandy told reporters here.