Kerala Congress (M) group’s mouthpiece ‘Pratichaya’ has claimed that LDF had invited KM Mani to become Chief Minister in 2015 but he had rejected the offer.
The mouthpiece claims that KM Mani was not ready to double-cross the UDF even if he had a strong temptation.
The editorial also sarcastically says that the bar bribery case against Mani was UDF’s gift for rejecting LDF’s offer and staying with UDF.
Though there were a lot of rumours on Kerala Congress (M) being invited to join LDF, this is the first time that the party has officially acknowledged it.
Earlier, CPI (M) Minister G Sudhakaran had said that LDF was ready to accommodate Mani. Supporting Sudhakaran’s claim, the editorial said that Sudhakaran’s hints were not false and praised the minister calling him noble.
Sudhakaran had said in a speech last week that if Mani had listened to LDF, he could have reached a good position.
The article also says that Congress was dreaming of becoming a huge political force by avoiding prominent leaders of Kerala Congress.
However, in response to the editorial, KM Mani told media, “I never wished for the CM post. I have not appointed anyone to discuss with LDF in this regard. What appeared in Pratichaya was their observation. I am not denying it, no need to disbelieve that too. Anyhow I don’t know about it. I have not tried to cheat UDF. The allegations against me are paid ones,” he said.
The article also came down heavily on opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala. It alleged that he had ordered a verification during the bar scam row even if Oommen Chandy, the former CM had said that the complete row had no merit to it.
However, no CPI (M) leaders have confirmed the details given in the mouthpiece yet.
“First we should know the official confirmation from CPI (M). Whether CPI (M) had tried to bring down UDF government by inviting KM Mani. We should know that. That is more important. We need a clarification. Until a confirmation comes from CPI (M), we cannot analyse this situation. Till last year, CPI (M) had said Mani was a corrupt leader who was involved in a big scam. So, we should know what is the truth,” Rajmohan Unnithan, Congress leader told The News Minute.