KOTTAYAM/T'PURAM: As Kerala
Congress
(M) is finding it difficult to retain the
Rajya Sabha seat
held by its chairman Jose K Mani, Congress mouthpiece Veekshanam wrote an editorial on Wednesday inviting the party back to the
UDF
fold. The editorial, the first open invitation by the Congress to KC(M), said
Jose K Mani
lacks the tactics possessed by his father the late K M Mani and it will be better for him to return to the UDF instead of getting roasted in
CPM
's 'arakkillam' (palace of Lacquer built by Kauravas to burn Pandavas alive).
Left front is set to get two Rajya Sabha seats and after CPM's decision to contest in one, both CPI and KC(M) have staked claim for the other, pushing the front into a crisis. Congress has made its latest move eying this situation. As far as KC(M) is considered, Rajya Sabha seat is essential for its survival. It is demanding that incumbent Jose K Mani be considered again for the seat. However, CPI too is adamant, and a solution could be found only if CPM agrees for a compromise.
The editorial said Jose K Mani should not fall victim to CPM's vicious plans. It said he had joined
LDF
to fulfil his ambition to become a
minister
in the state. The CPM had promised one Rajya Sabha seat to Jose K Mani. But as his term ends, LDF has unofficially asked him to wait for next turn. The two Communist parties have unofficially agreed to share the two seats due to LDF, the article said.
The party newspaper talked at length about the fair treatment that
allies
get in UDF, citing Congress's decision to concede to IUML demand for a fifth ministerial berth in the Oommen Chandy govt in 2011 and its decision to sanction a third Rajya Sabha seat to the League as examples.
Opposition leader V D Satheesan, however, disowned the article, saying nobody was entrusted with the task of inviting Jose K Mani to UDF.
"The matter has not been discussed either in UDF or in Congress. UDF workers have put in their best to defeat the KC(M) candidate in Kottayam in the recently held elections. Under such circumstances, such a subject is not under UDF's consideration," he added.
However, Congress feels KC(M)'s return to UDF fold ahead of the assembly elections will boost their chances.
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