File photo of Jose K Mani
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was quick to respond to the announcement and welcomed the decision. “They have abandoned the UDF politics of close to four decades. The next steps will be decided by the Left Democratic Front meeting,” the CM said.
- CNN-News18 Kottayam
- Last Updated: October 14, 2020, 4:44 PM IST
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The Kerala Congress (M) faction led by Jose K Mani on Wednesday announced its decision to sever its decades-old ties with the Congress-led UDF and work alongside ruling CPI(M)-led LDF in the state. Mani added that he would quit his Rajya Sabha membership, won with the support of the UDF.
The UDF and the Kerala Congress (M) shared an alliance for 39 years and late K M Mani, Jose’s father, was of its strongest leaders.
“I have decided to resign from the Rajya Sabha upholding morality as we were humiliated in the UDF,” Jose K Mani said.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was quick to respond to the announcement and welcomed the decision. “They have abandoned the UDF politics of close to four decades. The next steps will be decided by the Left Democratic Front meeting,” the CM said.
Meanwhile, Jose expressed hope that the LDF leadership will take a decision on his party’s entry into the ruling front.
The Kerala Congress (M) has a huge support base in the central parts of Kerala, including Kottayam and Idukki districts, especially among the Christian community. With Jose joining the left, they are expecting to garner these votes.
However, it may not be a cakewalk for the LDF as many are miffed with the decision. Meanwhile, A Vijayaraghavan, the LDF convenor, has welcomed the move.