Pinarayi forecasts disintegration of UDF in Kerala after Mani exit

 Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Wednesday that the Congress-led UDF was set to disintegrate with the departure of the Kerala Congress (Mani) from the alliance.

"When we told you during the election campaign that the UDF will disintegrate after the election, you did not take us seriously. Now it has happened," Pinarayi told the media.

It was the first time Pinarayi briefed the media after the weekly cabinet meeting in Thiruvananthapuram after being sworn in on May 25.

"The UDF comprises three pillars (Congress, Indian Union Muslim League and KC-Mani) and one of these has crumbled. With that, the UDF will also crumble," added Pinarayi

On Sunday, K.M. Mani, the former Finance Minister who leads the Kerala Congress (Mani), ended his 34-year truck with the United Democratic Front and decided to sit as an independent group in the assembly.

"He (Mani) said he will offer support based on issues. This is dangerous because he will support even the NDA, as he has got two members in Parliament," Pinarayi said. 

With Mani leaving, the UDF's tally in the 140-member assembly has fallen from 47 to 41.