With former chief minister Oommen Chandy sharing the dais with Kerala Congress (M) leader KM Mani at a function in Kottayam on Friday, it has given rise to speculation that the Congress is trying to bring the leader back into its fold. 

However, reports say that though Chandy and IUML leader PK Kunhalikutty supported KM Mani’s return, many other leaders have stoutly opposed the move.

There were speculations that some of the leaders including Chandy, plan to field Jose K Mani MP, KM Mani’s son, for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. However, this was strongly opposed by Congress I group leaders.

As per reports, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) as well as the Kottayam district congress committee, passed a resolution that KM Mani should not be taken back into the party. 

The resolution came after LDF won in Kottayam district panchayat elections with  KC(M)’s support.

“Only a section of the Congress wants to bring back Mani. We expected this before the next Lok Sabha election since Mani wants his son to be get elected from Kottayam again. But this time, the sentiments of the Congress workers in Kottayam are against Kerala Congress (Mani) and they are not allowing to accept the party any more in the UDF,'' a senior `I' group leader told The Times of India.

KC (M) had supported IUML and PK Kunhalikutty in Malappuram Lok Sabha bye-poll and would also support the IUML candidate in the Vengara assembly bye-poll as well. This is how the reports arose that Kunhalikutty along with Chandy, are planning to get back KM Mani.