Even as CPM leaders in Delhi tried to win the support of the CPI national leadership for its move, CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran asserted in Thiruvananthapuram that his party's approach to KC(M) leader K M Mani hasn't changed a wee bit.New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram: The CPM, the main constituent of the ruling Left Democratic Front in Kerala, has intensified its efforts to rope in Kerala Congress (Mani) in a bid to ensure the party's victory in the upcoming assembly by-poll in Chengannur. However, the second largest LDF component, the CPI, is vehemently opposing the idea.
Even as CPM leaders in Delhi tried to win the support of the CPI national leadership for its move, CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran asserted in Thiruvananthapuram that his party's approach to KC(M) leader K M Mani hasn't changed a wee bit. “The LDF doesn't need Mani's help to win Chengannur,” he said, and expressed confidence that the CPI central leadership will not decide to co-operate with the KC-M.
Kanam said the CPM is free to invite Mani. “However, the LDF hasn't considered this. The LDF had won the state assembly election two years ago without Mani's help. The government hasn't slipped to a level lower than that now,” he insisted.
It is understood that the CPI national leadership has endorsed Kanam's line. CPI national secretary Sudhakar Reddy, who held talks with the CPM national leadership in the presence of national secretary D. Raja, admitted differences with the CPM over KC(M). Sources said the CPM-CPI discussions in Delhi collapsed over total disagreement on Mani.
CPM Politburo member S Ramachandran Pillai, who had participated in the talks along with the party's national general secretary Sitharam Yechuri, admitted that the Politburo is also divided on bringing in the KC-M. He said a decision will be taken at the state level.
At the same time, the CPM has informed the CPI that Mani should not be insulted and kept away, though co-operation with his party is not sought right now.
The CPM-CPI talks, which centered on siding with KC(M), were held at the AKG Bhavan in the national capital. The talks covered Kerala politics, including the by-election in Chengannur, where a section in the CPM sees Mani's support as beneficial.
The CPM has requested CPI leaders to refrain from making public statements against Mani.
