Putting all doubts to rest, Kerala Congress (M) chairman K.M. Mani has declared that his party will maintain an equal distance from the Congress and the Left, indicating clearly that he has exercised the option of keeping the party an independent entity — away from the two coalitions.
‘Issue-based support’Addressing the party conclave at Charalkunnu in Pathanamthitta district, the KC (M) supremo said the relationship would be issue-based, as the party had to take the right path: if the Congress did something right, the KC (M) would support it. The same was true for the Left. “If they do something wrong, we will oppose them,” he added. The UDF coalition was formed with the participation of the Kerala Congress. However, it was painful that the time had come to review the party’s stance, he said. “The party had to pass through agonising experiences in the coalition. The mutual camaraderie and regard are no more present in the relationship” Mr. Mani said.
‘Crucial phase’He said the party was moving through a crucial phase. It had always focussed on safeguarding the interests of the farming community. If the State and its economy were ahead of many others, the 12 budgets he had presented had a key role to play in it, he claimed. The party was also in the forefront in safeguarding the interests of farmers.
“Now, if we want to take the march forward, if we have to provide better policy options to the farmers, if we want to ensure the wellbeing of the State’s economy, we have to rethink our stance,” he said. There was no point in clinging to power. “We have to stand down, if it need be. The Kerala Congress has its own identity and can stand on its own legs.”
Referring to the criticism that the party MLAs should stand down if they were moving out of the UDF, Mr. Mani said the logic would apply to the Congress members too, as they were elected with the backing of the KC(M).
