UDF not to burn bridges with KC(M) Jose faction

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The UDF high power committee on Wednesday decided not to burn bridges with Kerala Congress (Jose K Mani) faction and keep a room for negotiation. Though no formal arrangement for a negotiation was finalized, the high-power committee is learnt to have decided not to worsen the situation further.
After the meeting, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said the Mani faction was only banned from attending UDF meetings.“Nobody expelled them. That was clearly mentioned when the UDF convener spoke to media the other day,” said Ramesh. However, queries on the status of relation between Mani group and UDF didn’t elicit any reply.
The UDF leadership still maintains that the Jose faction can remain with the front if it quits the Kottayam district panchayat president post. “Kerala Congress is an essential part of the UDF and they have been with the front for over four decades. Following the death of K M Mani, the party split and the UDF tried to bring them together. When that was found impossible, it was decided to treat them as two parties,” said Ramesh.
According to Ramesh, Monday’s decision followed the firm stand of Jose faction against quitting the district panchayat president post. “There was a clear understanding for Jose and Joseph factions sharing the post for eight and six months respectively. For the last four months, efforts led by P K Kunhalikutty had been going on to cajole the Mani group to accept the agreement. We will readmit them to UDF meetings the moment they correct their stand,” he said.
The UDF meeting also decided to organize panchayat-level protests on July 9, raising the recent corruption allegations against the government and laxity in handling the pandemic situation. Ramesh said 10 members will take part in the protest in each of the panchayats by strictly adhering to social distancing norms.