KC(M) will not join any political alliance, says Mani

Kottayam (Ker), Aug 25 (PTI) Kerala Congress(M)supremo K M Mani today categorically said his party, whichleft the Congress-led UDF in the state earlier this month,would not join any political alliance in the state.    Mani also hit out at the CPI, a day after the Left partyopposed any move to bring KC(M) in the fold of Kerala’s rulingLeft Democratic Front (LDF) led by the CPI(M).   "I have made it very clear that we (the KC-M) will not joinany political alliance. I don’t understand why CPI is scaredof us," he told reporters in his hometown Pala near here.    Attacking the CPI, which has been opposing any move towelcome KCM into the LDF fold, Mani said his party did notneed any advise from the Left party, "which has a history ofselling its Lok Sabha seat" during a general election.    A state Committee meeting of the CPI held inThiruvananthapuram yesterday had decided to convey its standto the LDF that the party was against any move to bring KC(M)and Muslim League in the fold of ruling alliance.    The party discussed the issue in detail after somepositive vibes being sent to the KC(M) and Muslim League bysome CPI(M) leaders recently.    Meanwhile, Kerala Congress (Jacob), a minor partner in theCongress-led alliance, today urged Congress high command totake initiative to bring KC(M) back to the UDF camp.    Party senior leader and ex-MLA Johnny Nellore said the UDFhas lost its strength following KC(M)’s decision to quit thealliance.    Earlier this month, the KC(M) had pulled out of theCongress-led UDF of which it was a part for more than threedecades.    The party would be "equidistant" from Opposition UDF,ruling CPI-M-led LDF and BJP-led NDA, Mani has said. PTI CORTGB VSRGTRK