‘We are happy in LDF’: Jose K. Mani rules out return to UDF
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Kottayam: Amid speculation that the Kerala Congress (Mani), the third-largest ally in the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), may be considering an exit, party chairman and Rajya Sabha MP Jose K. Mani asserted that “they are a happy lot”.
Speaking on Friday ahead of a party meeting, Jose said, “The news that we are moving base is only in the air, and we have had no discussions about it at all with anyone. We are happy in the Left Democratic Front.”
His remarks came days after Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan claimed that the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) was poised for expansion, declaring that “unbelievable political things will happen”.
Jose, son of late K.M. Mani—founder of the Kerala Congress in the 1960s—steers a party known for its history of splits. K.M. Mani’s record as the longest-serving legislator was narrowly surpassed by Oommen Chandy before his passing in 2023.
With a tradition of realignments, Jose’s oft-repeated line remains: “Kerala Congress splits as it grows and grows as it splits.”
The Kerala Congress (M) has shifted between the UDF and the LDF over the years. At present, its faction under Jose is allied with the Left, alongside Kerala Congress (B) and Democratic Kerala Congress. Other factions like the Kerala Congress and the Kerala Congress (Jacob) are part of the UDF, while a breakaway group led by former MLA P.C. George merged with the BJP in January 2024.
The Jose-led faction formally joined the Left ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections after supporting the LDF in the 2020 local body polls.
“Our meeting is being held to draw out a strategy for the soon-to-be-held local body polls,” Jose added.
